Restoration is a Promise
“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.” 1 Peter 5:10 CSB
Have you ever wondered where God is in the midst of your pain, discomfort, and sorrow? Or maybe you believe God is there, but you have no idea why He is letting you suffer? Surely if we believe in a God that loves us and cares for us, He will come to our rescue.
These are all thoughts I have struggled with and to be quite honest, I still find myself wandering back to that place of doubt. If you have ever struggled with doubt, let me be the one to tell you, you are not alone!
When you own horses, it is inevitable they will face some challenges with their health at some point in their life. For my gelding, Levi, this was having multiple eye ulcers. I thought he was going to go blind at one point from how bad this ulcer was. I was giving him medicine 6 times a day, and man did I feel worn out. But God’s healing showed up in His perfect timing and completely healed him from all sickness.
Over the last several years of my life, God has walked me through challenging health issues that have left me feeling confused and unsettled. The days that I lay in my bed, completely dysfunctional, I begin to wonder why God allows us to experience pain. Why would He not answer my prayer for complete healing if He loves me unconditionally?
Many people place expectations on their spouse, friends, and quite frequently themselves. But what we don’t always realize is how we place expectations on God. Sometimes we expect Him to answer our prayers and if He doesn’t, we begin to believe He doesn’t care, or He is not listening. I often think that if God does not answer my prayer with exactly what I am asking for, then He is withholding something from me.
The Bible tells us that God will restore us after we have suffered a little while. (1 Peter 5:10). You see, God is not withholding anything from us. In fact, He is offering something that no one else can offer us, restoration. With restoration comes strength, renewal, and freedom. It gives us a chance to be made new, cleansed from all physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual distress. It breaks the chains that bind us up, the chains that have kept us from experiencing God’s comfort.
I don’t know what pain you may be experiencing today, but I do know that no matter how big or small your struggle is, your story is important and you deserve healing. You deserve a peace that surpasses all understanding. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you when this healing is coming, but I can assure you, God will take the shattered pieces of your heart and mend them back together stronger than ever. Expect this, “The pain that you’re feeling now, cannot compare to the joy that’s coming.” (Romans 8:18)
I encourage you to find the areas you need to surrender to God. Let go of control today and be content knowing that God sees you, He hears you, and will come to your rescue.
Journal Prompt:
What areas of your life do you need to surrender and let go? What does restoration look like to you?
Ref: Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 41:3, Psalm 147:3
