Strength In Life’s Challenges

I was in a workout class last week where the instructor asked us to get into a plank position. I raised myself up on my elbows, raised my body off of the ground, and placed my feet on the step bench which was behind me.  She proceeded to instruct us to now take our feet off of the bench on the left side, then the right, and then back up onto the top of the bench.  After many repetitions, my back and sides were burning from the effort.  I wanted to stop when she said, “I know this is challenging.  It is in the challenge that you are getting stronger.  Keep it up.”

I can’t tell you how often I have thought of those words this week.  It is in the challenge that we are getting stronger.  When I think about the gut wrenching or heart breaking events of my life, I have to admit that they have always brought me back one way or the other to the only one who is in control.  It has strengthened my faith to see God be faithful and work miracles beyond anything I could ever do or take credit for.  It has made my faith stronger to feel Him close and speaking to me.  While I was weak, He alone was strong.
As I sit and type this blog, my cousin, Ben, is lying in a hospital room literally broken from head to toe after a major car accident.  My heart breaks for him, for his parents, for his friends, and our family who are devastated by this news.  
It is a sobering reminder that we are not in control and how fragile this life really is.  I am so thankful that we have hope in the Great Physician, the Great Healer, and our Great Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Shortly after hearing the news of Ben’s accident, I remember during my prayer for him, I started singing out loud, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.” followed by “Christ Alone, Cornerstone, The weak made strong in the Savior’s love, Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.”  It was just so apparent to me that Christ alone was in control during this difficult time.

To my surprise, this Sunday at church they played the song, Cornerstone.  I realized as I sang with tear filled eyes how perfect the lyrics were in this situation.  Christ alone is the cornerstone.  He is there in the storm making petition for us behind the veil.  Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV) says, “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf…”  He knows how hard it is.  He himself was bruised and broken and knows how much it hurts.  He is going before us to make petition on our behalf before the throne of God.

If I could ask you to pray for Ben, I would truly covet your prayers for God to heal him and strengthen this family.  This is not a case where he will be checked off your prayer list any time soon.  He faces many challenges and a long road of recovery.  I thank you all in advance for your prayers.