Through It All

In the early ‘70s, a well-known gospel song was written by Andraé Crouch called 'Through It All’. I remember singing this song in church growing up. It was a nice, touching song to sing, but now that I am older and have been through some things, it has taken on a whole new meaning.

Growing up I had a fairly care-free life. We had a good home and a close family. Before Dad went to Bible College, my parents both had good jobs and we were cared for materially; all of our needs were provided. Things changed a little during and after Dad’s time in Bible College. Although money was tight at the time, we were a family who served the Lord and trusted Him to provide for our every need. Our lifeline was Jesus. I am so thankful that I grew up in that kind of atmosphere. Looking back through my childhood, I can see that I did not have any real troubling or traumatic issues in my life — of which I am truly thankful.

As I got a little older, the trials began. I realized as a young adult that trials in this life are inevitable. They may not be the same for everyone, or even of the same caliber, but everyone will experience trials of some kind in their lives. To be honest, I was not prepared when I first started to experience difficulties. At times, I would crumble under the weight of it all or question God on why these things were happening to me. My fight or flight mechanism would kick it, and my default was flight. I just wanted to run away from my troubles.

I Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." We don't understand the ways of the Lord, and we can only see in part in this life on earth. We may have glimpses of why things happen, or see some evil things turned around for good, but it is only a dim image of what God sees. One day we will see our Saviour face to face and we will fully understand.

This year has been a series of trials and tribulations for my family. It has come to head this fall. I know that in my own strength, I am not able to handle any of this. But I am thankful that the Lord reaches down and gives us what we need for each day. If I had to think of tomorrow and how I will get through, I may not be able to handle it. The Lord gives us our ‘daily bread’, and I am trusting Him to help me through each day.

I have one more day until my surgery. A lot is up in the air about this particular surgery, and I won’t know the outcome until the surgery is over. It is similar to the one that Mom had in September. Due to my congenital anomaly of a missing IVC, there are possible challenges, but I cannot allow myself to go there in my thoughts. I need to trust in the Lord to get me through this day. And then tomorrow, trust Him to get me through that one. And then the next one. One day at a time.

Through all the storms in this life, only by the grace of God, I am learning to thank Him for allowing me to go through those storms and seeing me through. Andraé Crouch’s song says it best:

“I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through
For if I'd never had a problem
I'd never know that He could solve them
I'd never know what faith in God could do

Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His word.”

Through all of the darkness, through all of the pain, through all of the attacks, I have seen the Lord and have felt Him holding me. For that, I am truly grateful. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know that the God who holds tomorrow and the universe in His hand, will see me through.

No matter what your circumstance may be, know that the Lord is there, waiting and able, to solve your problem. Give your burden over to the Master, and before long you will see that He carried you through it all.