Have you ever read the book of JOB in the Bible. If not you will find it in the Old Testament. It's quite a story and I have read it more that 50 times over the past two years. JOB ended up going through unbelievable things. At the beginning of the story we find out that GOD has a conversation with satan concerning JOB and is asking satan what he thinks of him. JOB was quite an amazing man of GOD. Basically satan says: the only reason JOB loves and obeys you is because you have given him so much and blessed him with everything. Good health, good family, land, livestock - a great life. Then satan tells GOD if JOB didn't have all that he wouldn't be so cool with GOD. You get the picture. Remember - as perfect a man as JOB might be in the eyes of GOD - he's human and therefore he is a sinner. Though satan is known as the "accuser of the brethren" that is not the same as being a liar. He might lie to me about you or even about me but, when he goes before GOD he can't use lies because GOD knows the truth about everything. So satan can only accuse us of what is true and I believe he comes before GOD like a little tattle-tale even though he knows that GOD is aware of everything we do. satan wants justice because he will never be forgiven for what he did as Lucifer (leader of worship in heaven), he wants GOD to hold us accountable for what we do and doesn't want us to be blessed. I picture him whining to GOD saying: "it's not fair. It's just not fair!" Ok lets move on now that you know about that.
About two years ago I began my experience with suffering when I came very close to death with a blood and bone infection caused by ignoring my diabetes. I ignored it because I had no health insurance and knew it would cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix this problem - if it could even be fixed. I was in a lot of pain and unable to do much of anything. The day I went to the emergency room they told me if I didn't do something extreme to take care of this I would not live more than 10 days. My pastor was with me when I had to make the decision about what to do. I decided I would go home and ride this pain and suffering right through the gates of glory but GOD had another plan. HE didn't let JOB go around what he was about to experience, he had to go through it. Why? For GOD to receive the GLORY. Our lives bring GLORY to GOD when we trust HIM to get through whatever HE allows to come in our lives.
During the past two years - when I was not in the book of JOB I was in the 23rd Psalm. Day in and day out. I kept remembering no matter how much pain, how lonely I became, how depressed I got, how deserted I felt, how angry I got . . . . . . I would declare: "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I SHALL NOT WANT!" Yes, HE makes me to lie down in green pastures, leads me beside the still waters. YES! HE RESTORES MY SOUL! HE leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sake. YES, even though I am walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I struggled to fear no evil, remembering that HE was with me. HIS rod and staff comforted me. HE prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies, and anointed my head with oil - MY CUP TRUELY RAN OVER. SURELY goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE and I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER! Over and over again I would visit this Psalm and proclaim it's truth. Believing it was not always easy - but, I did (and do) believe!
Two years is a long time. The depression at times was overwhelming and I felt I would not make it through it. GOD sent a young man to me who needed help as much as I did during that time. As I helped him - he helped me. We went through many tough times together. It kept me going because I knew I would let him down if I gave up. It was the same for him.
Recently I was invited on a weekend retreat in Delaware with a church that has been a faithful supporter of my ministry for years. That retreat was the beginning of me living the end of the story of JOB and seeing the blessings of GOD begin to take the place of the suffering I had been going through. The depression lifted, my phone began to ring, my communication with people started again and my LIFE has been so blessed. I still recite Psalm 23 at the beginning of each day and thank GOD for what HE allowed me to experience so that I can now understand those who are going through that same suffering and how to help them.
FIRST STEP: Read GOD's WORD for encouragement
SECOND STEP: PRAY at all times.
THIRD STEP: Do all you can to encourage others to do the same!
