Insurmountable

contributed by:

Staci Overbeck

Ministry Assistant to Adult:Life

Laura was living a dream. She had written a number one worship song, was working in a ministry that she loved, and she had just married her high school sweetheart. Things were definitely good for her, but shortly thereafter, she realized that there was something a little off. A visit to a doctor and some testing revealed that Laura's husband had a brain tumor. His surgery resulted in some touch and go moments with the end result being significant vision and memory loss - including the memory of their recent marriage.

These kinds of stories take one's breath away. The pain and the loss can be devastating, and yet from that pain, significant beauty can arise. In Laura's case, it was through song.

What if your blessings come through raindrops?

What if you healing comes though tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights 

are what it takes to know your near?

What if trials of this life are your mercies in disguise?

Blessings - Laura Story

Most of us will never know Laura's pain, but we will all at some point face something that, to us, seems totally insurmountable. It's at that point that our faith becomes our strength.

This past weekend Pastor Ron shared about the seemingly insurmountable obstacles the Israelites faced in their journey to the promised land. He also shared about the personal obstacles he and his Laura are facing as they embark on this new path set before them.

Building on the premise that God keeps His promises, Pastor Ron reminded us that God always does what He says He will do - that our battles are not ours but the Lord's - and, that God always goes before us into the battle.

When we are facing trials, he encouraged us to not let the walls consume us but instead to view the walls as opportunities for God to display His power through us and through others.  He also reminded us of the importance of allowing others to walk beside us as we hold fast to God's promises.

Pastor Ron noted that when it comes to God, we have to take all of who He is.  How often do we want to take the good but forgo the difficult? And yet, it is through the difficult that our faith, and the faith of those around us, is strengthened.  It is a spiritual perspective that takes our circumstances out of our hands and puts them in God's where they belong.

What if my greatest disappointments, or the aching of this life,

is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy?

And what if the trials of this life,

the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,

are your mercies in disguise?

Blessings - Laura Story

Some things to think about:

• Are you facing a giant right now?  If so what is it?
• Have you asked God to lead you in the battle against your giant, or are you trying to defeat it on your own?
• Do you have a friend or accountability partner that can pray for you and encourage you in the battle?
• Take a moment to be still before God and praise Him for what He will do in you and through you as you walk through the battle together.