Ask God: This article is about depending on God. We should fix our eyes on Him for He is the Prize.

Good Evening Reader,

God is the prize beyond anything we face on the earth. He is our strength and our hope beyond the trials.

God Bless.

Elvin

Our Future with God is Brighter than Anything We Will Ever Face on Earth

Seven days can feel like forever when you are in constant pain.

Some pain comes and goes. Other pain seems to stay hour after hour, leaving you tired, discouraged, and wondering how much longer you can endure it. During those moments, it is easy to feel alone. Even strong believers can struggle to think clearly when every breath reminds them that they are hurting.

I understand that struggle in a very personal way.

Seven days ago, I went to my doctor's office because of severe pain. After examining me, my doctor immediately sent me to the emergency room. There, the doctors ordered blood work and a CT scan. The tests showed that I had a kidney stone on the move.

The pain was so intense that they gave me morphine, which finally brought relief for a short time. Since then, I have been prescribed four different pain medications. Each one has helped for a little while, but none has stopped the pain for very long.

If you have ever experienced a kidney stone, you know how severe the pain can be. Some people say it can be compared to the pain of childbirth—I don't know since I have never had a baby. I have come to realize how helpful it is to look beyond the pain. The mother who looks forward to holding her beautiful new baby has hope of life. She has hope of holding her prize soon.

For me, the pain from the kidney stone is eased knowing that this is temporary. A person with a kidney stone should clearly see the finish line. Pray. Our prayers will be answered, and the pain will end soon.

As I have walked through these difficult days, the Lord has reminded me of an important truth. Pain can control the body, but it does not have to control the heart.

God never promised that believers would escape every trial. He did promise that He would never leave us to face them alone.

David understood suffering. He wrote,

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

Notice that David said he walked through the valley. He did not stay there forever. Valleys have an entrance and an exit. They are places we travel through, not places where God intends us to live.

That truth has encouraged me this week.

When the pain becomes stronger, I remind myself that God is still with me. His presence has not changed because my circumstances have changed. His love is just as real in the emergency room as it is on Sunday morning in church.

The apostle Paul also understood suffering. He wrote,

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Sometimes we ask God to remove our pain immediately. Sometimes He does. Other times, He gives us the strength to keep taking the next step until the trial is over. His grace is always enough for today.

One verse has especially encouraged me during these long days.

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).

Notice God's promises. He says, "I am with you." "I will strengthen you." "I will help you." "I will uphold you." Those are not empty words. They are promises from our faithful God.

Perhaps your pain is not from a kidney stone. Maybe you are carrying another burden. It may be physical pain, emotional heartache, family problems, financial pressure, or deep disappointment. Whatever your struggle is today, the same God who is helping me is able to help you.

The Lord invites us to bring every burden to Him.

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

That verse reminds us that God does not simply know about our pain. He cares about it. He invites us to place every fear, every question, and every burden into His loving hands.

As I write this, I am still waiting for the kidney stone to pass. I would appreciate your prayers. Yet my hope is not based on how I feel today. My hope is in the Lord who has never failed me.

One day soon, this pain will be behind me. More importantly, one day every believer will live where there is no more pain, no more sickness, and no more tears. Until then, we trust the One who walks beside us every step of the journey.

If you are hurting today, do not lose hope. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep looking ahead. Better days are coming because our faithful God is walking with you, and He will bring you through this valley just as He has brought you through so many others.

I am praying that the kidney stone passes quickly and that the Lord gives me relief. I keep my eyes fixed on God and the prize of no pain.

Paint your prize clearly in your mind. Hold to the hope you will soon receive the prize. Oh. What a wonderful day that will be.

Elvin

Share your thoughts. Email me at elvin@askgodfor.com. I would love to share with others on this list how you handle difficulties and trials.

Ask God For

Christian faith

PS. Share your newfound knowledge with you friends.

Reader,

Hosea said his people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. Knowledge give believers and non-believers a choice. When a person does not know, they cannot choose.

Feel free to forward this lesson to your friends and family.

Grow in the knowledge of God.

Elvin

Send your comments to elvin@AskGodFor.com and let me know what you think of the lessons.

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