Count it all joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.
This is the scripture that ran through my head as I laid in the road holding my broken Nalgene bottle.
As I got up from the ground I began to realize that I no longer had a wallet, debit card, phone, or Thai flag. Everything that had, that only moments previously been strapped to my body, had been taken from me.
But, count it all joy.
See, if I could describe my relationship with the Lord with one word it would be ironic. He constantly brings me to and through the places I never want to go. Places that I mark off as my own, places that I have control over, places that I don’t need Him.
He goes there anyway.
One thing that I told him I had under control was providing for myself. I could take care of myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually without ever asking too much of Him. I told him that I pretty much had it on lock.
So he went there.
Immediately after my things were taken from me I realized that I had lost control over providing for my own comfort. I have no money. Oreos, Dr. Peppers, and little tastes of home were no longer within my reach. And with no phone, the instant comfort of communicating with friends and family back home was gone. I had to be completely reliant on the people around me and God’s promise to provide for me.
I felt as though I was in boat with no paddles, completely at the mercy of the wind and the waves.
But, I must admit there is something freeing about an open ocean.
Something so liberating in the fact that my only option for comfort is the Lord.
…
I am thankful that I had to learn how to completely rely on his provision. I had no choice! I have been amazed at how He has provided above and beyond what I need, through teammates, family, and good friends.
God loves us.
He really does desire to take care of us.
He really is the Good Shepherd.
