Since this is my first post, I want to start off with an explanation of the title of my blog. The title comes from Romans 5:1-5. This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture, as it brought me through a complicated time in my life where understanding did not seem to be an option. When you're in a situation and things happen, and you can't begin to understand why they happen, where do you go? Do you avoid the situation all together and act like nothing happened at all? Or do you face it head on and progress through the battles and eventually come out on top because you have something to look forward to because you know God is going to take complete care of you? Before I go any further, let's look at the Scripture:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us.
I had become numb to what was going on in my life. I had never experienced this feeling before and didn't understand why it had happened to me. When I would talk to friends about my situation, the only words that could come out of my mouth were, "I just don't understand. It makes no sense to me." I had no emotions. I was absolutely numb. After Katrina, I lived with my parents in north Mississippi for a year, and they witnessed the entire thing. My mom told me so many times, "Janna, you need to talk about it. You need deal with it." I would always say, "I'm fine!" It's not that I didn't want to deal with it; it's the fact that I didn't know how to deal it. How are you supposed to deal with something when you're numb?
That's where the Scripture above came in. I had read it so, so many times before, but God spoke to me, and it was like a light bulb going off saying, "Janna, you're going to be okay." I have always been the eternal optimist, but did not see the silver lining of the situation...until that night. I cried out to God thanking Him for revealing His glory to me. I realized that, although I was numb, I was still suffering. According to this Scripture, I needed to persevere. I sought God knowing that I couldn't do it alone, so I persevered with Him. Perseverance developed my character; and character produced hope. The Scripture is true-hope does not disappoint...as long as your hope is found in Christ. I remember the night so vividly. I automatically lost the numbness. When God speaks, He speaks loud and clear! I still didn't understand why this had happened to me, but I didn't have to. My attitude had changed, and I knew that God was going to guide me and take me through this difficult time. I just had to lean on Him and face it head on.
Looking back on that time in my life, I am thankful for the suffering. God's hand never left me, and He completely spared me from so much that could have happened had I stayed where I was. Eventually, my lack of understanding turned into complete understanding because I persevered through the muddy waters. I am so grateful for where I am today and for God's glory constantly being revealed to me daily.
So what do you do when you're hit with trials that may seem to take away all hope from your life? I assure you that if you pray earnestly and seek the face of God, your perseverance will prove your true character, and hope will abound. Always, always, always look forward to what greatness God has for your life. The greatness He gives you will reflect back on the true beauty of who God is. Give Him the glory for what He has done in your life.
