It is so difficult sometimes to separate our perceived reality from the spiritual reality that God wants us to embrace. It's like the famous story of the wise old professor who would greet his class with the greeting, "Enjoy today, today!" And as would happen on almost a daily basis a student would grumble and remark that his day was not going the way he thought it would. The response from the professor would always be the same, "Don't worry, it will pass." Then another student who was riding the high of a good day or week would respond to his question in a positive manner and the professor's response would be the same, "Don't worry, it will pass.". The point behind the question is life is fluid, circumstances will change, embrace the moment.
And if you are a believer, then God is with you in every moment.
Let's look at one of many stories that God preserved for us on this subject in His Word. In the book of Genesis, chapter thirty-nine, we see a child of Jacob, son of Abraham, who was named Joseph and his brothers because of jealousy and hatred, sold Joseph into slavery. In the third verse we read these words, "The Lord was with Joseph." These words are recorded as Joseph had been sold as a slave and transported to a foreign land. Later, in that same chapter, we read in verse twenty one the same statement, "The Lord was with Joseph." These words were recorded after Joseph had been falsely accused of a crime against his master and was thrown in prison. Then in chapter forty-one, we read the account of Joseph being recalled from his prison cell, two years after his wrongful incarceration, and the words that the Pharaoh of Egypt used to describe his encounter with Joseph, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”
Four times the Bible reminds in this story that God was with Joseph during one of the darkest period of his life. Alone, in a foreign land, with no resources or connections, and languishing in prison for over two full years, God did not leave him, or forsake him, but comforted him with the knowledge of His presence and that was enough for Joseph.
There are so many lessons that we can learn from the story of Joseph but here are just a few points of wisdom that I believe God is wanting us to learn when we go through dark valleys in our own lives.
Whether in times of tribulations or victories, we still usually have control over at least four attributes of our character. 1) We usually more freedom and choices then we might realize. My wife would always remind me, "God can change anyone's situation in the blink of an eye." We have control of our responses, and our attitude should always reflect the presence of Christ in our lives. 2) What am I learning from this situation? What is God desiring for me to learn while I am plodding through this valley. 3) Who is God wanting me to connect with, even in the deepest darkness of my life. Even in times of extreme pain God wants to use these moments to help others who might be going through the same experiences. 4) Finally, understand the power of gratitude and thanksgiving, not for the situation itself, but for God's presence in our lives even during times of intense depression and troubles.
No matter what you are going through, I urge you not to give up. God Himself, is present in your moment, and He desires to comfort you during your time of deep pain.
He is intimately aware of your situation, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” Psalm 56:8
Your pain has a purpose, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” Romans 5:3-5
The Holy Spirit will intervene on your behalf, even when you don't (or can't) pray for yourself, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will” Romans 8:26-27
Your suffering has an expiration date, “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” Revelation 21:3-4
