God in the midst of our Chaos

In the Spring of 2016 in the month of May to be precise, my father took ill. He was teaching a group of students at the University when he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. That day my fiance( now husband) and I were having breakfast with two of our friends at a restaurant then I felt my phone vibrate, there was already 10 missed calls from my sisters and two voice messages from my mum. Immediately I excused myself and I went to call my mum then I was told my Dad had a mild heart episode. The whole time I was on the phone with Mum there was this calmness that I felt and an assurance that my Dad will be perfectly fine. That is what the presence of God will do when you are faced with difficult situations.

The fact that we experience troubles, tribulations and disappointments doesn’t mean God is not present. I was recently reminded of this when I listened to this sermon by Pastor Todd Mullins of Christ Fellowship Church in West Palm Beach Florida. The sermon was titled God's presence in the midst of our problems and I wrote down a few lessons that I learnt from It. I have also included a link to the sermon:

• First, problems can either push us closer to God or away from God. Many times we are disappointed that certain things did not happen the way we want or a relationship that we were hoping will blossom into courtship/marriage didn’t quite work out, we think God is doesn’t care some might stop serving God or put blame on God. We shouldn’t let this come between our relationship with God but rather get closer to God. Job experienced the worst calamity but yet he worshiped God despite his situation , God heard his cry and replenished him more than he had before. Job 1:19-21 "and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

• Another point I learnt is that when we are going through trouble God is our help, He is there to carry us through and calm the storm. Psalm 46:1" God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble."

• Also our pain can bring others to God, it can help them experience God's grace and power. We all go through pains and disappointment but the way we handle it or go through it either by asking God for grace and believing Him for a breakthrough can be a blessing to someone around us.

Trials, trouble and tribulation will come but God has promised us that He will be our guide, our refuge and our help.