By Ife J. Ibitayo
It’s been more than six months since I wrote about my “Petty Problems”. Since then, my problems have grown tremendously. I’ve struggled with throat-constricting anxiety, debilitating stress, and crippling loneliness. I’ve been examined by an ophthalmologist, a cardiologist, and a psychologist. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I’m like a mountaineer climbing Mount Everest who had his feet sliced off and his legs shattered.
As I continue to drag myself up this unending mountain, head buried in the frigid snow, the LORD sent me this verse: “He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your fathers had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 8:3 CSB)
Point of Humbling
The word translated “humbled” in this verse is the Hebrew word “anah”, meaning to be brought low. To be humbled is to be forced from a position of strength to a posture of submission, from sufficiency to need.
Apostle Paul said “we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7 ESV). As my life unraveled before my eyes, I came to cherish these words. Affliction has weighed down my back but hasn’t crushed me. My circumstances have confused me, but God has rescued me from despair. I’ve been battered time and time again, but here I stand all because of His “surpassing power”.
Point of Waiting
I’ve seen the necessity of relying on God’s word alone. God’s promises and character have proven to be far better barometers for the future than what I can see in my day to day life. Just as I know that researchers are working on a vaccine to cure coronavirus but can only see the death count spiking in our nation, I know that God is working all things together for my good (Romans 8:28), even when I can only see my mounting suffering.
If I want to make it till tomorrow, I can’t depend on what my eyes can see today. I have to view reality through lenses of faith.
Conclusion
I cannot promise myself that “everything will turn out okay”. I don’t know if my worries of today will become reality tomorrow or be dispelled with the new year. All I can do is wait. My problems are big and growing by the week, but my God is even bigger. And I still believe in Him.
“I believed, even when I said, ‘I am severely oppressed.’”
(Psalm 116: 10 CSB)