As I left the house to go to work at 6:30am on November 1, I was met with the sinking realization that my car had been stolen overnight. When I realized what happened, I immediately came back in my home and prayed for those who took it. It took about half the day to get things squared away. I just asked God to give me the strength to continue to pray for the vandals and to continue covering me with His grace, mercy, and strength and that’s when it finally hit me. I just sobbed because I felt more hurt than angry. I knew it was pointless to ask why and get all bent out of shape. I know there is a lesson to be learned or a lesson for others to learn. I know it teaches perseverance, builds character, and tests my faith. I know it’s all a part of being a servant and I also know that I will be fine, but it still hurts!
I know it was just a vehicle that had a lot of my personal items inside when it was taken, but it was still mine. And I guess there really is a true sense of violation associated with having anything taken from you.
I kept telling myself that God is working and he knows what He’s doing. People have been very nice and have attempted to say kind things. Although they mean well, they often make cliché statements either because they don’t know what to say or because it sounds like the right thing to say. By the weeks end I had heard enough of, “Well you know God doesn’t give you more than you can Handle” and “He’s always there for you.” or “You can depend on God.” Well duhhhh! I get that. I didn’t need to hear the baby food talk, I needed some real spiritual meat here! So I called on 4 of my friends who are prayer warriors and have a true understanding of living God’s word. James 5:16B states: “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” So I asked my prayer warrior friends to pray for what I know is true but don’t always want to hear:
1Peter 4:19 “…those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good.”
Hebrews 12:3 “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
Hebrews 12:7 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons.”
Hebrews 12:11 “No discipline seems pleasant at the time….but later it produces a harvest of righteous and peace for those trained by it.”
The hardest thing for me to do is pray for the people who stole my car because it would be much easier to wish them harm. Day after day I had the same routine: pray for them and ask God for continued strength. The past 2 weeks have been tough. As soon as I think I’m ok with things, it suddenly gets to me again. 1 John 3:20, “For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.” I’ve found tremendous comfort in this verse.
He knows, He understands, and He has taught me that no sufferings on this earth can compare to what His son endured for me. So I wait, trust, and obey Him knowing that He indeed is greater then my worried heart or any situation can ever be.
Follow Me!