When the Unthinkable Becomes Reality

This I know, God is for me. In God will I praise His word; in the Lord will I praise His word.   Psalm 56:9-10a NCV

If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31

Beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith…  Jude 20,21a NASB

The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 NASB

The following devotion, written a few years ago, came back to my mind and heart as a friend and I talked. Now, as then, I have no magic words to offer those who are confronting the unthinkable. Those who are facing horrific emotional pain, all without “anesthesia.” What I can do, is take your hand and place it in His, assured that He can, and will, walk you through the unthinkable.

Sometimes God calms the storm — and sometimes He rides the storm with us.

Mark Hall

The text in front of me described a tragedy of immense proportion. Quickly tapping in my friend’s phone number, she shared details of an accident and asked if I could meet her, along with the mother of the little one battling for his life. Quickly praying, I drove to the hospital with a shared ache of what this mama was facing.

Once arriving, I had no magic words to offer. No religious piety to wipe away the tragedy of the tear-stained and heartbroken mama who stood before me. Her 3-year old son will soon be gone. That piercing reality thick in his hospital room, I reached down to touch his chubby little hand and asked if I could pray. What I’m not sure, but I felt compelled to bring this little guy and his hurting mama before the throne. She nodded her head that it’s okay as I took his hand in mine and prayed…

I asked the Lord to comfort her heart, I invited Jesus into the center of the situation and spoke the Blood of Christ over the little one. And then I told God what I am telling you… “Father, I don’t know what to pray right now or what to think. Such tragedy. Such pain. I just confess outloud that I trust You and that You are good and You are faithful. Please help.”

There are times when we must simply take God’s hand and walk THROUGH things. Not over or around, but through. I wish it weren’t so but it is. And when we are confronted with tragedy or pain or dashed expectations, we must cling to the truth we know. “This I know, God is for me. It hurts so bad Father but I know You are in control. You are good and You are faithful. Help me, Lord to trust You through this. Not my emotions or the confusion swirling in my mind. But You.”

One layer that made this particular hospital visit even more wrenching is that my own baby girl died in the same hospital – though decades earlier.  The sights, the smells, the sounds and the heart-ache… all came back to me in that moment. And along with the emotional ache of empty arms came the authentic comfort that I found those years ago when I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, as I held my own little one.

Beloved, whatever tragedy has been allowed into your life, I am so sorry for your pain. Would you talk to Him now? Unburden your heart, tell Him your pain or anger. And then say with me, “This I know – God is for me. He is good, He is faithful and I can trust Him.”

Lord Jesus, There are times when the pain is so great, if not my own, I see it in the lives of those around me. When I am tempted to trust my anxious thoughts rather than You, cause the simple truth of “This I know” to fall from my lips as I speak Your Truth over my spirit. Infuse me with power from on High. I love You Lord. In Jesus’ name Amen

 Written by Becky White for Jesus

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* For Amber and her late son, Keatyn. Though it has now been a few years, I know the ache remains. Praying His continued comfort over you, sister.