“God spoke to him (Abraham) in this way: 'Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,' God said, 'and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.'” (Acts 7:6-7 NIV)
Sometimes God’s plan allows us to experience difficulties when we least expect them!
Consider the Israelites’ experience. Before their time of slavery, Joseph was given power by the pharaoh, and the Israelites were shown favor and lived a prosperous life in the fertile Nile River valley in wealthy, sophisticated Egypt. For a time, the Israelites were treated well and life was good, but God planned for them to make their home in Canaan, their promised land. In order to fulfill His plan, God allowed the Israelites to go through a time of persecution and slavery before He delivered them.
Can you see similarities in the Israelites’ journey to our own? As we consider our lives before chronic pain, we recall a time of physical and probably material comforts. Life was good and we most likely weren’t looking for a change. But then God allowed chronic pain or illness, and life became hard. Perhaps years of employment ended or we began difficult medical treatment. The time of living in our own “Nile River valleys” became a struggle and challenging.
Our journey, it seems, has suddenly changed and we now face difficulties. But, our Good News is that God has planned our journey through pain and illness, just like He knew and planned the Israelites’ journey. It’s not for us to know His path, timing or plan. Instead, our job is to believe with complete trust and faith that His plan is good; to remain completely dependent on Him; and to follow Him wherever He leads.
Our promised land awaits!
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, You have a plan for our lives that is perfectly timed and for our good. We go wherever and however you lead us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Doris Farley experiences chronic pain that began after an accident. Her circumstances have led to an unexpected, life-changing spiritual journey that has renewed her commitment to our Lord. She thanks God for reaching her and prays that He will reach you also, through the words He gives her to write for you. You may write to her at dorisfarley@aol.com
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