“From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done” Isaiah 43:13 (NLT).
During the years of my husband’s mental illness, I found great comfort in the knowledge that God was in control working out a much greater plan than I could see.
Visiting my husband in a mental hospital always left me emotionally depleted. Before the drive home, I’d put my head on the steering wheel and pray, “Lord Jesus, hold me. Infuse me with Your strength and energy. Give me alertness as I drive home.” Then slowly, I would work my way through heavy traffic, across the Fraser River, and into the Fraser Valley. Just east of the river, beside the freeway was a sign that always cheered me. On a blue background in large white letters were the words: JESUS IS LORD.
If Jesus is Lord, then He is the One in control of my life! That meant that my peculiar life package was not filled with random acts of cruelty but with carefully chosen challenges. I was not at the mercy of inept doctors or some people’s callous remarks or even my own mistakes and failures. I was at the mercy of a loving God who cared for me deeply and who would work all things, even this, together for good (Romans 8:28).
“For the children of God, everything comes directly from their Father’s hand, no matter who or what may have been the agents,” Hannah Withall Smith writes. “There are no second causes for them. All are destined to work for their good.” (1)
Then life doesn’t make sense, we can know that it’s all known to God. No matter what our circumstances, we can know that God is always in control and He is bigger than our circumstances. Even when we can’t see His hand at work, we can trust in His good character and that He is working out a good plan. He changes victims of circumstance into victors in Christ.
“I know that you can do all things,” Job said, “no plan of yours can be thwarted” ( Job 42:2)
As I contemplated these wonderful truths, my spirits lifted and filled my heart with hope. Whatever happened, I would be okay. My future was in loving, capable hands.
I cannot Lord Thy purpose see, yet all is well since ruled by Thee.
(1) Hannah Withall Smith, The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, (page 146).
By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
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