Growing Faith
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
What a year 2020 has been! I don't think I could have imagined a national shutdown, a pandemic, or the possibility of having a stroke if someone told me last year that those things were coming. As far as I was concerned last November, life in the Turner home was rocking and rolling along just fine with kids, church, work, school, and extracurricular activities. During the spring quarantine, our family enjoyed spending time together outdoors, playing board games, watching movies, and being still & quiet amidst the pandemic. Now that I look back on those two months, I am eternally grateful for them. Even though we didn't know it then, God was preparing us for a life-changing event.
One the morning of May 29, I had a stroke that affected the left side of my body. From the moment it started, God's presence was real. He worked out every detail in his perfect timing. I have struggled with anxiety for a long time, especially anxiety related to my health. But for the first time, I was not anxious that day - even riding in an ambulance down Lakeland Drive! It was amazing & surreal! God covered me with a blanket of peace and told me that he would never leave me. I knew without a doubt that He was there. I didn't know what the outcome would be, but God did. He reminded me moment by moment to rest in Him because He already had it all figured out. He also assured me that He would be glorified through this situation. I was just along for the ride. His peace was all I needed. When my human nature wandered from those truths, He gently showed me that He hadn't left me. Exodus 14:4 became one of my favorite verses: "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." There have been good days and hard days since May 29 as well as lots of hard work at therapy. God continues to teach me to rest in him and trust His perfect plan. And now, almost 5 months later, I can go to a doctor's appointment (& there are many!) without getting anxious even when there aren't clear answers for what's happened. Never in a million years would I have thought that possible! I look forward with anticipation to watching God's plan continue to unfold.
This advent season, I challenge you to focus on God's continued presence and work in your life, despite what is going on in the world around us. Immanuel - God is with us. That is a truth that never changes. He is worthy of our thanksgiving and our praise. He allows suffering to come into our lives to ultimately bring us more contentment in Him and be less reliant on ourselves and the things of this world. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have chosen to have a stroke and possibly have a physical handicap for the rest of my days on earth. But far greater than that, I am so very thankful to God for walking this road with us and using this suffering to grow my family's faith. We serve an awesome God! To Him be the glory forever & ever, amen!
Angie Turner
No comments:
Post a Comment