Held... Natalie Grant

What does it mean to be held?  To me, it means to hold God’s hand in a world that could be so painful and full of questions, as He carries me from here to eternity, teaching me to see things that I don’t understand through His eyes.

Meaning of Providence- God’s intervention in the world and our lives.

Angry at God? - who hasn’t been.  Angry at another person? - who hasn’t been. Angry at ourselves?- of course we have! Angry because what’s happening just seems so unfair? - I think we’ve all been here.

We need to address and confess anger. You didn’t ask for it - you didn’t want it to happen - but you have it, and it will only grow into bitterness.  “When my  heart was grieved and my Spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant... Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and portion forever.” (Psalm 73:21-26).  

 Don’t miss feeling the grace of God by allowing bitterness to grow and, "cause trouble and defile many..." (Hebrews 12: 15).  Don’t be angry with a closed fist, shaking it up at God saying, “Why!” The wise hand opens, and the heart follows. I am only saying this because I have been here many times myself, and it only pulled me further away from feeling held by my Savior.

I guess we could see by now that when Jesus said: , “In this world you will have trouble...” (John 16: 33).  He wasn't kidding. He goes on to say, “But I have overcome the world.” It sure doesn't seem like it when we look at this world through our eyes.  All the things that we go through.  Instead we need to look at it with His eyes, and that we are just passing through here.

When the opposite happens of what we’re praying for it can make us angry at God. Who can understand why someone who seems so deserving, who wants a child so bad, can’t seem to have one? And why is it that someone who we think didn’t deserve it, got to one? Why did that wonderful Godly person have to die so young, or suffer with a horrible illness? We ask these things when Jesus tells us that we must die, to live, (Matt. 16:24-25).  It seems so unfair.  But whatever our cross is, He is with us, "always, to the very end of age.” (Matthew 28:20).  

God didn’t wrap this world as a gift to us with a pretty bow on top. Our only hope is Jesus. He is the perfect gift to us.  When it feels like something sacred is torn from our lives, He is the only One that will be there to hold us, and we will survive. Like the old saying, “time heals all wounds.”

I have to keep reminding myself that Jesus died for me while I was still a sinner. To rejoice in our suffering, in order to share in His, is a willing growing process that doesn’t come easy. We are not promised a perfect life here, but we are promised to be held by Jesus, always...

I pray whatever your going through, you feel “Held”

Kim