Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.
– Habakkuk 3:18-19
When the storms of life hit, we’re often tempted to run for cover. When they continue indefinitely, we struggle to find encouragement. When the rain and the wind gather strength until they turn into what seems to be a hurricane, we find ourselves saying, “I can’t do this any longer.”
The truth is, we can’t—but God can.
He is the only One who can help us victoriously fight through the battles of life. Nothing can provide the strength He provides, especially when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. He stands beside us, and He never retreats.
Daniel didn’t worry when he was thrown into the lion’s den. He knew that the Lord would provide the help and protection he needed to make it through the night. You may be fighting a battle with a life-threatening disease. It’s an unseen enemy from a human standpoint, but not from God’s. He knows exactly what you’re facing, and He knows how it affects your life.
An incredible sense of peace comes from resting in the Lord and allowing Him to take care of your troubles. This doesn’t mean you abandon the fight and just give up trying. It means you shift the focus of your effort from yourself to God. This is where the true victory is gained.
The apostle Paul faced many life-threatening situations. At one point, he debated whether it was better to ask God to allow him to go home to heaven, where he would have unending peace and glory in the presence of Christ, or to continue living the earthly life God had given him. Paul chose the latter. As much as he longed to see the Lord in heaven, he loved telling others here about God’s unending, unconditional love and forgiveness.
The suffering you face today is directly related to the peace you will experience in the future.
