We all encounter amazing seasons of plenty, growth, and discovery yet still have seasons of drought, complacency, and loneliness. Through the inconsistency of this world, I've found that through seasons of great trial, our life's foundation is exposed. It's also so hard to believe in a God that would allow this pain, but it is even more important to voice these feelings as we walk through the unknown.
Through trials, it's not an "if," but a "when"—Isaiah 43:2 says,
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, the flames will not consume you.
It's so easy to look at the people in the Bible with judgement in their unbelief. We judge the disciples when they don't see the Lord's power in the boat during the storm because He just fed 5000 with five loaves of bread and two fish. It seems silly that they wouldn't recognize who God is and his sovereignty in everything, yet we never look in the mirror and self-reflect on our faith. That pride in our faith is toxic but especially dangerous as we go through trials.
Right before He went to be taken and crucified, Jesus intentionally gifted us with the Holy Spirit. In John 14, Jesus explains the Holy Spirit to His disciples so that they can understand the importance as Jesus goes to be with the Father. In verse 5, Thomas explains his fear and lack of knowledge of direction when Jesus leaves. But, in verse 15, Jesus explains that Spirit of truth will be our advocate within us that so that (verse 12) we can do even greater things than Jesus did on earth. Isn't that crazy that we can greater things than the Messiah? But, we cannot achieve this in our own ability, only with the power of this gift. An advocate is a supporter, counselor, and comforter that is fighting for a cause—in this case—our life. Jesus promises to not leave us orphans, as the disciples (and all of us) have a fear of loneliness and abandonment.
Because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, Jesus bridges the gap between the Lord and us. In Romans 8:26, Paul writes:
In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness because we don't know what to pray for as we should. But the Spirit intercedes himself FOR us with unspoken groanings.
I love this encouragement that we don't have to have the words together for the Spirit to translate it for the Lord. We don't have to feel alone and isolated because the Spirit isn't beside us but within us. It always seems like we have to pray in "churchy" words or fancy sentences, but He wants quite the opposite. This is an invitation to come to Him WITH our weaknesses so that He can use them to intercede on our behalf. He doesn't want us to clean up or put on our Sunday's best. He desires the dirt, mess, brokenness, and tears. He wants all of you because he intricately made you PERFECTLY in His image. And with these weaknesses, the Spirit possesses and gives us wisdom, knowledge, healing, faith, and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7) with His timing.
The Spirit helps us think of the Lord as a lifeline and not a hotline. You use a hotline in a crisis, which is solely needed circumstantial and used on an as-needed basis. But, a lifeline is a source and where there is dependency. If you use the Lord as a hotline in a crisis, it would be good circumstantially, but there is no growth in dependency for the trials to come. In each season, He is preparing you for the next. Slow down and breathe in the truth that the Lord is a source of life not a source of quick encouragement. Pray that you desire the Healer, not just the healing.
During this season, meditate on this truth: It is possible to lose everything and still lack nothing. That is why He sometimes strips us of the things we think we need to show us it's not what we need, but who. You never know God is all you need until God is all you have.
