Be the Woman Who Continues on During Trying Times
We are certainly living in interesting times, right?! We have undoubtedly had to pivot our plans or put some of our dreams on hold, which can create disappointment, anxiety, or a sense of being overwhelmed. During times like these, we can be tempted to find comfort in things we shouldn't.
But I want to talk with you for a moment about stopping the downward spirals we all encounter. I want to remind you that we are living in a new era marked by God's invisible grace enabling us to will and work alongside Him. So let’s talk about how God teaches us to be women who continue on with our call, even when times are tough.
Climate of Change During Trying Times
I have joined you all in navigating these times. While preparing for the ACM Equipping Conference this February in Houston, emails started arriving in our inbox from speakers asking if the conference was still on since others were canceling around the country. We had already been developing multiple contingency plans, which required flexibility from our conference partners such as our host site, worship team, sponsors, and more. With all the moving pieces, there was a point where it felt like we were gazing upon a mountain range of obstacles.
During this time, I found great comfort in 2 Corinthians. It is no surprise to those who know me that I love 2 Corinthians. It is the home of the key verse for Adoring Christ Ministries (2 Cor. 3:18). It is the centerpiece of my first book. And shocker. . . it is the theme of our first Equipping Conference in Houston, Texas.
Paul opens his letter with comforting words -- literally words about how to find comfort in this new era of grace. He begins by authentically sharing a situation where he felt overwhelmed. He was not in a global pandemic. But there was a situation in Asia that caused Paul so much affliction that he says, "we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself" (1:8).
Comfort from Christ During Trying Times
So what did Paul do? Did he grab a bottle of wine to drown out his doubts and despair? If it were possible, would he have responded to his affliction by binge-watching Netflix night after night to escape the frustrating storyline he was living within? <big smile>
The example Paul offers to us is to call out to the God of all comfort. Paul says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction" (1:3-4). Please don't glaze over right now as though this is a powerless memory verse. I want to testify to you today that this truth has strengthened me to continue on during these unstable days.
God reminds us through Paul that He is ready to comfort us when we call out to Him. He lifts our spirits. He consoles us. He strengthens us. Consider some specific ways God comforts us. He comforts us with the everlasting comfort of salvation through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:16). He gives us consolation through His Word in the Bible (Romans 15:4). He comforts us by bringing about a favorable change in our situations and more (Acts 15:31; 2 Corinthians 7:7-9).
One evening I felt overwhelmed. My husband gently reminded me that one responsibility of Christian leaders (all of us who are leading our children, ministries, and more) is to call upon God for help. God wants us to honor Him by trusting Him to be a good Father. I responded by grabbing my Bible and talking with God through verses like Psalm 147:10-11:
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Encouraged to imitate Paul and the psalmists, the ACM team began calling out to God again for comfort and help during our final weeks of conference planning. We set our hope fully in God’s lovingkindness. And we looked to Him to guide us through the finish line.
I don't know how to explain what happened, but to say we saw God's invisible grace at work in our midst! As we continued to walk forward, mountains were laid low. Paths that seemed like dead ends were cleared so we could carry on. And, our faith was strengthened. The result was that we were enabled to continue with our call to equip you for your call.
Comforting Others During Trying Times
It is strange to find myself sitting here today writing a blog by the fireplace and realizing that this moment echoes the next part of Paul’s passage. It says that we will be able to comfort others with the comfort that has been given to us. Look at 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 with me again:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Yes, we are living in crazy days. But don’t forget we are also living in a new era marked by God’s grace enabling us to will and work alongside Him. He teaches us a new way to live. He teaches us to call out to the God of all comfort. He will comfort us, and we will in turn, comfort others with the comfort we have been given.
Continue on with Your Call During Trying Times
So let's not become paralyzed by our challenging climate. Let's wrestle together with the stuff of affliction, faith, and calling out to our good Father. Let's continue growing in the habit of putting off the downward spiral of confusion, despair, and anxiety. And let's put on prayer and praise to the God of all comfort.
He will strengthen us to continue on with our call to influence the people in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, churches, and other communities to know Jesus Christ. And when it is all said and done, we will love Him deeper, and we will know Him more:
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all" (Ps. 34:19).