eclipsed

 
 

“He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. ‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” Mark 14: 35-36

Eclipsed: a loss of significance, power, or prominence in relation to another person

 

My child,

It is not wrong to be distraught over your suffering. My Son was. He experienced first hand the agony this world can bring.

He desperately wanted to forego the pain. He begged me to change my plans. Everything is possible for me that does not violate my character.

But, unfortunately, sometimes suffering plays a role as I accomplish my purposes. In that case, his suffering was imperative so that you and others could live with me forever. My Son did not want to go through that horror, but he was willing.

Sometimes, my children make poor choices and bring suffering to others and/or themselves. Other times our enemy is just working to destroy what he hates - my created ones lovingly crafted in my image. That brings a lot of suffering. And some pain is inevitable because sin entered my creation and my children live in the midst of it. 

One day I will bring all this pain to an end. But until then, I can redeem your suffering. In your weakness, I am showing my strength. As your physical frailties have increased, so has my glorious power in you. You have asked me to make you a display of my splendor. That is what you are becoming.

You are surrendering your weakness to me. I am transforming you into a grace-filled vessel of my radiance. Your body (and your circumstances) may tremble but I can give your spirit what it needs to remain at rest in my perfect peace.

I love you,

Abba

 

My Abba,

Sometimes when I acknowledge pain, I feel vulnerable and weak. So I just prefer to ignore it. But I know that you don't pretend in the face of pain.

Christ fully acknowledged the painful circumstances up ahead when he considered his time of separation from you, the weight of all sin for all time, horrific physical suffering, and death.

I know he did not deny what was happening. He wanted things to be different. But he surrendered his desires to your will.

Sometimes I deal with pain in the opposite way. I pretend it is not there. I act like I am not sad or suffering. It doesn't make the suffering go away.

When I don’t acknowledge my need, I don't reach out for your supernatural love, grace, peace, comfort, and intervention, in the midst of it. When I don't reach out, I don't receive all you have for me. I rob myself of your riches through my faulty coping mechanisms.

So here it is: I have been worn out, hurting, sad, and overwhelmed this week. It does not benefit me in any way to pretend I am not. I choose to look to you, my Overcomer, for your sustaining provision. Please take away whatever hinders all that is important to you. Please supply what needs to be supplied.

When I consider the definition of eclipse, I realize I desperately want my distress to be eclipsed by your love, grace and glory today. I am asking for my suffering to lose its "significance, power, and prominence in relation to" you.

Eclipse my pain with your perfect presence.

I love you,

Mollie

 

photo: zhuralov

NLT