It’s crazy how this year is about over—only five weeks left before the new year begins. What a year 2016 has been for many of us! 

As I flip back to the beginning of 2016, I am reminded of when I wrote hesitantly in my journal this prayer, not knowing what I’d be facing in the months ahead:

 

“God, as 2016 starts, help me to trust You moment by moment. Remind me that every day I wake up I have a purpose. Give me a heart for others. Let Your light shine through me to bring glory to You. I want to be a better witness for You. I need Your power, boldness, and gentleness in my life. Lord, You are the only One Who can change our lives completely. Let my focus stay on You. You are my strength and my Redeemer!

Amen.”

 

As I look at that prayer, I am in awe and blessed how my spiritual growth in the Lord has increased as I drew closer to Him throughout the year. He has taught me so many things this past year. If I were to boil it down into five phrases, they would be: waiting on His perfect timing, resting in His loving arms, relying on His peace that passes all understanding, trusting in His everlasting promises, and depending on His strength moment by moment.

 

It was all I thought about from January through May. Making the decision to have the Deep Brian Stimulation was the most difficult yet important health decision I’ve ever made. During those months of praying and thinking about the pros and cons of the surgery, I read so many encouraging verses in my Bible—verses like: Psalm 31:24; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 48:11; Isaiah 25:1; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Psalm 92:4; Psalm 28:7, and countless others.

 

As many of you know, I wrote in May about what I was facing by making the decision to have the DBS surgery. I was raw and personal with you as I shared with you not only the fears and frets but also the protection and peace I had. The week before I had the surgery I read and wrote these verses in my journal from Psalm 73:25-28.
Psalm 73:25-28

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

26 My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

 

It shouldn’t surprise me that I read those verses when I was home alone, dreading and worrying about the surgery. I’m so thankful I did, though. That morning I drank my coffee and read the devotional book, Jesus Today by Sarah Young, and kept reading the rest of Psalm 73. Now on an ordinary day I probably wouldn’t have looked up those verses and written them down. But on that day I believe the Lord encouraged my heart and gave me the assurance that everything would be alright.

 

In August, my friend, Meritza, texted me a song called, “You Alone.” Being a southern gospel music lover herself, I knew it would be a great song. After I listened to it on YouTube, I instantly bought it along with several other songs from that group. I honestly have listened to it countless times since then—it was such an amazing yet convincing song. The song talks about life being overwhelming and feeling like you’re alone in trials and how God’s faithfulness and love will always be enough.

 

This song came into my life only two months after I had the surgery, so I was honestly thinking to myself, “Was this surgery really worth it?” I mean, I was seeing some glimpses of hope, but then they would fade away and be gone in a instant. This song helped me to focus on what was really important in my life. I love the second verse which says,

 

“When I’m broken in the silence

I can hear You whispering

You’re not alone here in these trials

I would hold you faithfully

You are my help forever.”

 

God has been so faithful in my life this year. He has blessed not only my life healthwise but also financially. I’m thankful my business, Silent Inspirations, did fairly well this year. I’m so thankful that this year I got to move into my own art studio, which my dad built. I’m also thankful the Lord has given me the opportunity to share with people my life through this blog, Going Through Trials With God, which I hope has encouraged you as a reader to live blessed whether you have a difficult circumstance in your life or not.

 

On Thanksgiving morning, I listened to Joni and Friends radio show and I heard this poem by Martha Snell Nickolson. As I listened to this poem, I could relate because of all I’ve been through this year. I hope it will be an encouragement to you as well.

 

 

Thanksgiving Meditation

By Maritza Snell Nicholson

 

“I thank God this Thanksgiving season for sins forgiven, for a great High Priest touched with a feeling of my infirmities, for the privilege of being a tool in His mighty hand, for His guidance, for His ear that hears my prayers, for His arm on which to lean, for His precious Word in which He speaks to us explicitly, and for the blessed, blessed hope of His soon coming! I thank Him, more than all else, for utter safety. In the past I have known what it was to be afraid, but now I know that I am entirely and perfectly secure. I feel that I have come into a safe harbor. Nothing, absolutely nothing, not the works of devils, not circumstances, nothing can separate me from the love of Christ. Pain, sorrow and bereavement can come, shattered nerves and body can be my lot, death can even put my body in the grave, but whatever comes, it passes first through His tender hands, and so I can love it because it comes from Him!

Nothing can keep me out of heaven. I am as safe now as though I were already there. Just these few more hard years to live, just these few burdens to bear, and then to be forever with Him, our daily portion glory beyond infinite glory! Thankful? My cheeks are wet with happy tears.”

 

Are you overwhelmed?

 

Has your world felt like it has crumbled around you?

 

Do you feel like you’re going through a trial or circumstance alone?

 

If so, remember the Lord will be Your Shield, Your Shelter and Fortress. He will always be enough. You can trust in Him alone no matter what comes your way. I hope this song will be a blessing in your life.

 

You Alone

Sung by The Sisters

 

When this life has overwhelmed me

And I feel like giving up

I will cling to all You’ve promised

It will always be enough

 

When the world around me crumbles

And it’s hard to understand

I will run to You, my shelter

I am safe within Your hand

You are my help forever

 

I will not fear

God You are with me

I know You’re near

You’ll never leave me

I will trust in You alone

 

When I’m broken in the silence

I can hear You whispering

You’re not alone here in these trials

I would hold you faithfully

You are my help forever

 

I will not fear

God You are with me

I know You’re near

You’ll never leave me

I will trust in You alone
And when my heart and strength have failed me

My God, You won’t

Your name is mighty

I will trust in You alone

 Bridge

You are a fortress for the weak

The strength that carries me when I am on my knees

The cross reminds my heart to trust

Your faithfulness and love will always be enough [x3]

 

I will not fear

God, You are with me

I know You’re near

You’ll never leave me

I will trust in You alone [x3]