The Reformed Life

My family is going through a storm. Most preachers like to say you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or entering a storm. Our son, Titus, has been in the hospital for the last 5 days. We haven’t received any answers, only new concerns. This has been an extremely difficult and exhausting time in our lives. We all face hard times in life; it doesn’t matter how much money you have, how good of a person you are, or what your background is. We all experience hard times.

We are in a sinful world that is infected with sin everywhere we turn. I have seen people who love the Lord lose loved ones, I have seen people lose everything they have, I have seen people be diagnosed with terminal diseases, but the interesting thing is to see is what they do in those moments. We cannot always control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it. How can we find comfort in the midst of chaos?

I am a Christian. If I claim this, everything I do, say, and think should be striving to glorify Christ. So, while I sit in this hospital room next to my baby boy, I ask myself this; how can I glorify Christ in the midst of this storm? I believe there are 4 ways I can be faithful during this time.

1. I can preach the gospel to myself.
   The gospel should encourage us as believers. When you study the story of Scripture, we learn the beautiful story of how God redeemed his people because he loved us, and it would glorify him. In this story, I am included. God saved me from my sinful self and for that I am eternally grateful. I can rest in the comfort of the Savior I have in Christ and that my God will never leave me. I can be comforted that I have an all knowing, all present God and I have been given the Holy Spirit so that I am never alone. Reminding myself of these truths will focus my eyes on Christ and in that, I am able to live a life of thankfulness for all He has done even in this storm.
2. I can find my comfort in Christ through the Scriptures.
   We have been given the Scriptures that contain so many truths. What many fail to see is that the Scriptures apply to every part of our lives. So, when I worry I can be reminded that I am not called to worry, because I serve the Sovereign God who created and sustains all things. When I am in the midst of the unknown, I can find hope in the fact that my God knows everything. God sees the end of the road even when I can barely see my next step. I can find comfort and rest in the fact that no matter what situation is going on God will be glorified through it whether it is here on earth or in heaven.
3. I can live out the gospel to others around me.
   I have been sitting in the same hospital for 5 days now. I have seen just about every specialist doctor there is, I have met most of the nurses and PCA’s on the floor, and I know the custodian lady very well. God has placed my family in this moment at this hospital for a specific purpose. What I do with my time, how I react to the current situation, and how I treat everyone matters. Is my life here in the hospital showing a life of despair and a lack of hope or is my life being an example to those around me of someone who is completely and dependent of God?
4. I look to the future glory that awaits me  
   We live in a fallen world. Sickness, disease, infections are results of the fall. However, we know that a day is coming when these will cease to be a reality in our lives. The trials of this live provide a longing in our heart for the glory that is to come. This is what the Apostle Paul wrote when he said, “ For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Rom. 8:18).” Therefore, while we are struggling and confused, we can be sure that a day is coming when God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be a day when there will be no more death, crying, or pain (Rev. 21:14). As we sit in the middle of this storm, we have hope that our God will carry us through to the glories of the new heavens and new earth.

Is it hard being here? YES. It is so hard sitting here feeling helpless watching your son get pricked, poked, examined constantly, and tested continually. It is hard when you want to help your child, but know at this moment you can’t. BUT, I can find comfort in my God at this time. I know that this moment is temporary, I know that God knows the cause of all this going on in his tiny body and I know He knows the end result. So, while we sit in the midst of the unknown, I am daily choosing to put my eyes on Christ and depend on Him, because I know He is sovereign, He is good, and He will never leave us.

Soli Deo Gloria

Courtney Chambers

If you would like to stay updated on new content, please click the “follow” button at the bottom of the page. Thanks for reading!