IN HIS GRIP: A BIGGER HEART

In most testimonies from blind friends, there’s one sentence that I often read or hear – “Why did God allow me to become blind? Of all the people in the world, why me?”

Let me tell you that all of us go through agonizing moments in our lives. Maybe we have lost someone or something that we either have valued so much or have taken for granted. Maybe someone you cared about has done you wrong. Or maybe you’ve made a wrong decision that resulted to a series of awful things. And there are also things that happen, things that you never even imagine would happen to you.

Why do these things happen?

I’m going to tell you one reason – God is molding you. God is the potter, we are the clay. The Bible says in Jeremiah 18:4, “….the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”

But do you know that the process doesn’t end in molding? There is what potters call “strengthening process.” The most durable and beautiful clay pots are the ones that endured being heated in a 1500 to 3000-degree F. fire? This isn’t easy. Some pots get deformed during this process because of the scorching heat.

I learned a lesson in my Christian walk that in order to become an overcomer in times of distress (to overcome the scorching heat of the fire) I have to:

1. Know my God, and find out that

2. With God, everything has a purpose (Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”). That way I can

3. Put my trust in Him

Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is a great promise to hold on to. And “knowing” that God is a God who never breaks promises, knowing that He would go with me and that He will never leave me nor forsake me, that He is my very present help in times of need… everything He is allows me to put my trust in Him.

Another thing that God impressed in me was that there are times when I had to go through rough times so that He could mold me a bigger heart. A bigger heart to reach out to distressed people who need the love of God.

Who could better minister to the blind than those who have become blind, gone through the dark moments, and were able to overcome fear and hurt because of the love of God? Who could better minister to victims of drug abuse, various addictions, or abusive relationships, than those who have gone through the same circumstances, were healed, and were able to move on because of the power of God?

Who would have compassion to people who are hard on the outside but desperate in the inside than those who have been hard in the past and whose hearts were softened and lives were transformed by God?

Are you going through a hard time? Be still, do not be shaken. Embrace this circumstance as a learning and molding process from God. Get to know Him better. Read your Bible. Have fellowship with fellow Christians. Talk to God through prayer. He will help you overcome.