An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly…. –Luke 22:43-44 NIV
When you go through trials and tests, your immediate fleshly response is to drop everything and run, to back away from what is causing you pain. But you can’t run from all of your problems and challenges. Being married, having children, being in relationships with friends and family can be some of the most challenging but most rewarding experiences. It’s challenging because you’re dealing with real people, real emotions, and real lives. But rewarding when you’ve had courage enough to see it through the hard, difficult, and agonizing times.Jesus is your example. When He was facing crucifixion, He prayed and asked God if someone else could do it because the pain seemed too much to bear. But because God had called Him to it and promised to see Him through it, Jesus said, “yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). When Jesus declared that He would see it through, God sent His angels to strengthen Him. God does that with us, too. He does it through Scripture, a song, devotional, a sermon, and even friends. God speaks to us. He comforts us, and He loves on us.
Whatever you’re facing today, ask God to strengthen you, enabling you to walk through it.
Thank God for always walking by your side.