Devotional Scripture
“We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,[h] so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing; he is able to help us when we are being tested.” -Hebrews 2:16-18)
Devotional
When faced with anything in life that is the source of grief there is always this feeling like you’re the only one that could possibly be going through it and that no one else would ever understand. Understandably, you question why you have to go through life in such a horrible way. Or why does everything happen to me? I love this passage in the book of Hebrews because it clearly helps us understand that we aren’t alone. It shows us that we sometimes go through test and face trials just as like Jesus. This means He is aware of our feelings and what we are experiencing today. During this pandemic everyone has been affected in so way shape or form, yet our own grief and suffering causes us to think what is happening must be personal, it must be because we’re not good. For some it may feel extremely unsettling. What we are facing today feels like it’ll never go away. The things that were normal aren’t normal anymore. And finding a new normal just doesn’t feel like it’s something we could possibly do. Perhaps, if we were to focus on the truths of the situations we would find that the new normal isn’t so hard.
In the last month I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I can’t wait till things are back to normal.” Even I, like the Israelite’s who lived in Egypt, managed to glorify a past that was never what I made it. I believe it’s because now what we expect seems uncertain. We aren’t sure what to expect. The Israelites had no idea who was leading them, though they had seen with their own eyes the miracles and the great way God brought them out of bondage, they failed to put their trust in Him. They were hard hearted, “Remember what it says: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.'”(Hebrews 3:15)
Don’t allow yourself to get into a place where your heart is closed off with unbelief or doubt. Don’t allow the thought that you’re alone to keep you away from those who are able to help encourage you in your faith. Don’t allow yourself to be like the Israelites, stuck in the wilderness longer than you need to be. Yes, everything right now feels bad. Yes, going back to normal seems like the best choice. But it is also true that Jesus is with me and you. Jesus knows exactly what you’re walking through and feeling. You just have to allow yourself to believe in what you know to be true.
Contributed by – Shani Ford
In the midst of my pain I found a God who fiercely sought after me. In 2017 I was in a broken place lost, living without purpose, and wanting to be found. Through the love of God I was able to find a peace that would change a rebel into a righteous women. I am from California, but currently living in Chicago, Illinois. Now walking a path to help change people perspectives on what it means to walk in God’s grace. I believe since I was able to find happiness, and true joy that everyone I encounter should and can find it too. Through The Sanctuary I have been able to grow in my walk while pursing the life that God has called me to.