What am I doing in this pit?

 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. (James 1:2-3 NIV) 

 
From the age of ten, our son, Jered, has played football with one goal in mind – to be a starting player on a college football team. When he graduated from high school, and was recruited by a wonderful college that offered him an academic and athletic scholarship, we were ecstatic! Go God! Jered was red-shirted as a freshman and during his sophomore year, became the starting fullback. It was so exciting to see our son's childhood dream become a reality. Although his team had a less than stellar season that year, Jered loved playing and had a great year as he developed physically, learned the complicated play system and took on that "veteran" mindset.
 
The following summer, Jered was unusually excited about the approaching football season. The college hired several coaches who seemed to have a new plan in mind for the upcoming year. All summer long, Jered faithfully ran, lifted weights, watched his diet and called teammates with the encouragement, "This is our year!" Even the brutal regimen of pre-season practice was taken in stride…until the last play…of the last play…of the last practice. I will never forget that phone call from our son. "I hurt my knee in practice today. I have to have surgery which means I am out for the whole season." I listened in disbelieving silence that quickly escalated its way to fury. Surely, I had heard him wrong. This could not be happening…because…God wouldn't let it happen – would He? Not to Jered! He had worked so hard. He had been so faithful. Why Jered? Why this? Why now? It's one thing for me to "face trials of many kinds" but it is a totally different matter altogether for my son to face them.
 
Jered is every mother's dream child – sweet natured, gentle, hard working – a rare young man of integrity who loves and serves God and, by the way, adores his mom. J How could this "pit experience" possibly be the best plan for his life? God clearly answered that question as we sat in the stands, week after week, watching Jered pace the sidelines on crutches while cheering his team on. He didn't miss a single rehab session, team practice or team meeting. In fact, the coaches turned the running backs over to Jered for each practice. I never heard him complain or question. Coaches, doctors, trainers, teammates and parents witnessed a living illustration of the truth that the "testing of your faith develops perseverance". Jered's faith was indeed tested and he passed with flying colors! Jered returned the next year as starting fullback and his team finished the season as the undefeated conference champions. I love it when a plan really does come together!

 

Sometimes I get so tired of telling people and having people tell me that my "pits" are for my good! I don't like pits. Do you? I remember when our children were babies and had to have their shots. I hated taking a perfectly healthy baby to the doctor's office, only to return with a punctured and crying infant. I tried my best to get out of it when I could by asking Dan to take them. One day, the doctor said to me, "Mary, you know that these shots are little hurts to prevent big hurts later on." It's true. The pits really are for our good. Do my emotions have to register that truth? Nah! But my heart and mind do. So know that you are not alone in this struggle. Let's encourage each other! Walk with each other! Stand with each other! Pits are better when shared.
 
Are you sitting at the bottom of a pit? Do you feel as if God has not only deserted you but "set you up" for a season of pain and failure? Is your heart filled with anger? Are you discouraged? Celebrate, my friend! Don't wait until you see it all! Don't wait until you understand it all! God is fully aware of your circumstances and will use it all for your good and his glory!
 
Let's pray
Father, forgive me for my complaining and questioning spirit in this pit. Help me to see Your hand at work in every trial and celebrate all You are doing in my life through that difficult circumstance. I choose joy! I choose to believe You and trust You in the darkness as well as in the light. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of testing and the reward of perseverance. Amen.

 

GIRLFRIENDS IN GOD by Mary Southerland © 2007. All rights reserved. (Please include this line to forward the message).