What do you do when, nothing seems to be working out; you have been in the wilderness for what seems to be forever; God has given you promises but nothing seems to be coming into fruition; you have hit your lowest point just to be hit with something else, bringing you even lower; You have prayed every prayer you could think. What do you when you are in the furnace?
Well, since I’m writing this while I’m in that very place, I understand exactly what you are going through. I know the heart ache of the waiting. I know that the enemy attacks you mentally, physically, and will come after your identity. I know the lies that will come to your head, and I know the responses from people that would make you feel even worse.
I had no idea.
I have learned that when i don’t know what to do, I can always find someone in the bible who dose.
As I began to search for people who experienced the hardships, confusion, and disheartened-ness that i am facing, I cam across a theme.
I read about Moses and his 40 years in the wilderness, and how he was basically exiled because of a lost in identity. (Exodus 2)
I read about Jonah, who found himself in the belly of a large fish. Also because of his depressions and anxiety asking the Lord to take his life. ( Jonah 3)
I read about Noah floating on the ocean, waiting for a promise. ( Genesis 5)
There is Joseph, sold into slavery and wrongly jailed. (Genesis 37)
What about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they were put in an oven! ( Daniel 3)
Then there is Job. Oh is any story sadder then Job losing everything he owned and everything he loved, becoming the laughter and joke of the people. Job not only suffered with lose, but his health, spiritually, mentally, and physically was tested. ( Job 1)
As I thanked God that i didn’t have boils all over my body, and was not in a desert with nothing to drink, I was reminded of One who suffered the greatest.
Jesus, I mean if anyone had the write to complain, It’s Jesus. He not only spent time in test and turmoil, being tempted and tried by Satan, He took on the sins of the world. Jesus was beaten to the point of not being recognized. Can you imagine!
( John 19 + Luke 23)
While pondering on these amazing people I found that even though they were in the worst place they could be, they never lost sight of who God was. They never forgot there lives belong to the most high king and that He was always in control. They worshiped Him, and praised His name regardless of the circumstance.
Even in their time of questioning they honored the relationship they had with the creator of the universe.
So that is what you do!
You hold onto Who you belong to, you praise the One who is in control. You walk with confidence knowing the Lord is your friend. ( John 15:15)
You sing and read the promises of God over and over again. ( Hebrews 10:23-25)
You Pray!! (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
You fight your flesh to ignore the lies, and to keep your eyes focused on Jesus, The One who knows first hand what your feeling, And you cast all your cares onto Him.(Galatians 5:17)
So this week I’ve been challenged to have faith in the furnace.
I am extending that same challenge to you.
P.S
Every one of the people i mentions had good outcomes. The Lord poured out His blessing, and did it in abundance.
