How To Survive Difficult Circumstances

Continuation of #mystory, “10 Reasons Why God is More”…

I could feel the anesthesia sinking in…nearly a week since the first tinge of pain had crept into my body. I was ready for this ordeal to be over. The kidney stone was too large to pass on its own and I would undergo surgery to put a stent in, giving room for the stone to rock and roll. I’m not a big fan of surgery…but this time I was ready to go. [sigh] I was ready to be pain-free.

Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn. -C.S.Lewis

The surgery was a couple of hours and before I knew it, I was waking up. A nurse was by my bed-side and quickly quipped, “How do you feel? Is everything okay?”

I was lightheaded and feeling a bit spacey. Not sure of my surroundings or what had just occurred. But my mouth felt funny. My teeth felt a bit wiggly.

Turning to the nurse, I said “I think my teeth are falling out.”

Opening my hands and pressing them firmly against my lips, I spit out my two front teeth while staring at the nurse like a deer struck by headlights. She squirmed. Jumped to her feet as if struck by lightning. I wasn’t sure where she had gone. Was I delirious? Did my teeth REALLY just fall out?

We are tested.

Because the testing of our faith produces genuineness.

It refines us like gold.

Through it, we are transformed, piece by piece, bit by bit.

We catch glimpses of Jesus in these rare, difficult and trying moments.

And in the end…our faith prevails because Jesus is revealed. Oh yes, we see Him face to face like we never knew before.

“so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9

Unexplainable. Really. How in the world did my two front teeth get knocked out! I left the hospital without front teeth and still wracked with pain, awaiting yet another surgery to come the following day. But I did take this home with me that day…besides my outward appearance or inward struggle with pain…

Jesus was enough. He still is enough. He will always be enough.

HOW IS JESUS BEEN ENOUGH FOR YOU?