When heartbreak visits, the Peace that carries me through comes from one Person: Jesus. We may not understand why certain trials come, but as Spurgeon once encouraged, “when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” Jesus modeled what trust looks like when placing His life completely into His Father’s Hands. With tears dropping from His face like blood, Jesus prayed “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). And with Jesus’s help, we can pray in the same way…trading our cares for His plans.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:8

In the fall of 2008, a memorable opportunity to trust God’s heart presented itself. Steve and I were 12 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We were so in-love with him or her ♥️… We wondered what her name might be. We dreamt about her sweet smile. We wondered if she might have brown eyes like Daddy, or blue eyes like mommy, or hazel like Oma…And we bursted at the thought of sharing God’s love with her, day-in and day-out. We could’t wait to meet her face-to-face. But instead of greeting our baby in May, we found ourselves in the Emergency Room in November saying, “Goodbye.” While the IV gave medicine that eased the physical pain, the emotional hurt that enveloped my heart was immense. The ultrasound showed that we had miscarried. Friends, I can’t remember a time prior to that day when I had weeped so vulnerably to God…let alone before my sweet husband. But as we walked out of the hospital, my heart was comforted immediately by God’s sweetness. Illuminating against the dark sky were beautiful snowflakes that fell softly upon my face. They reminded me that while the reasons for her departure were unknown, God was with us. We were not alone in the sorrow…He was there. In the hours and days that followed, His good and perfect gifts (James 1:17) were so very evident: in the heartfelt hugs from family and friends, the meals that came to our home, the cards, the visits, and most of all…in the prayers that surrounded us. And wouldn’t you know it – God soon began crossing our paths with other families who had also experienced the pain of miscarriage. The comfort He had given us (via prayer, His Word, as well as through community), was being shared authentically with these families… It was an incredibly healing gift to have His compassion work in and through us (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.

Luke 22:42

Despite enduring 3 miscarriages (along with other trials), the help God has faithfully provided has always been more than enough. The love that God shares and supplies truly is abundantly beyond what any of us can ask or imagine…and oftentimes, His love is most vividly encountered within times of adversity. (Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 4; Romans 12; Galatians 6; Proverbs 17:17; James 1). Elisabeth Elliot, one of my favorite authors, penned trust with these words “If my life is surrendered to God, all is well. Let me not grab it back, as though it were in peril in His hand but would be safer in mine!” Be encouraged, friends- what is unknown to us, is known by God. (Psalm 139; Hebrews 4:13) What appears impossible to us, is not to God (Luke 1:37) And while we may not understand His plans, we can certainly trust His heart. (James 4:7; Proverbs 3:5) Wherever you may be right now, take a breath and pray. No question is too lofty; no sorrow is too deep; and no past is beyond His Grace. God’s got you!

Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.

J. Edwards

Much Love,

Meridith

Bible verses about God’s comfort: https://gal220life.wordpress.com/2021/04/24/a-collection-of-verses-and-quotes-gods-comfort/

Bible verses about Trust: https://gal220life.wordpress.com/2021/01/19/a-collection-of-verses-and-quotes-the-importance-of-trust/