defy the darkness

“We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the troubles you were going through. But you know that we are destined for such troubles. Even while we were with you, we warned you that troubles would soon come - and they did, as you well know.”

“How can we thank God enough for you because of all the joy that comes only from our God?”

1 Thessalonians 3:2b-4, 9

My Abba,

Thank you so much for this truth. Again today, I need it. Sometimes, I am still surprised by times of trouble. Despite the persistent show-and-tell to the contrary, I can slide into thinking I am not “destined for such troubles.”  My wishful thinking coaxes me to believe I should get to live a comfortable, gentle life. If problems do roll in, they should always be properly chaperoned by a speedy and complete solution.

The dilemma is that my trials are no longer wrapped in the pretty, Pollyanna package of denial. I have become intimately acquainted with the downpour of difficulties in my life. And in passages like this, I witness the guarantee of troubles. So why am I surprised when life gets hard?

I guess I buy into the endless messages from my culture. It chirps that I just need to slip into something new - that heaven on earth will come with the next purchase, achievement, relationship or change in circumstances. These are the gods of our day.

Thank you for reminding me today that even in the midst of troubles, you are real, present, and can give me your joy. Please, make my love for you grow healthier and hardier, like a well-watered garden that is resilient and thrives even under a blazing sun.

While I sit here with you, I am confident that the lesser things never hold a candle to the unspeakable gifts I find in you. And then my day happens and I can get lost in the weeds.

Come what may, troubles and all, please help me remain grounded in the reality of your love and joy today.

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

Our enemy’s most profound deception is the mirage of satisfaction in which he wraps his counterfeits. Despite his sloppy sales pitch, sometimes you buy it.

Rely on me to give you eyes to see the fraud. I offer the freedom and privilege of living in truth. All joy, peace, grace and love is found in me. Only I can give you these treasures - even in the midst of troubles.  

When you choose to walk with me, you can see the magnificence of my gifts that defy the darkness of unmentionable evil. Gifts, which glisten gloriously like fresh, untamed water making music under a voracious desert sun. Gifts, which refuse to perish in the blazing mouth of an angry fire. Gifts, which stand grounded and immovable, even in a savage torrent.

I love you,

Abba

photo: kevin carden