to a professional ’ s skill set . But in these moments in the batting cage , a batter is refining his craft , correcting bad habits , and reconnecting with the foundational techniques that make him successful come game time .
Similarly , God desires to use the limiting constraints of your pain and suffering to drive you to him and not away from him . When it seems that your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling like a baseball rebounding off the batting cage net , the reality is that God is closer to you than ever . Like a coach breaking down a batter ’ s swing , God uses your trials to refocus your trust in him and realign your dependence on him . The closer you draw to God , the more aware you become of the things in your life that have come between you and your Creator . Then you can repent of your sin and by God ’ s grace break the bad habits that have robbed you of the joy , peace , and contentment of living in Christ . If you were already walking closely with the Lord before your trial hit , then know that God doesn ’ t waste anything in our lives . Don ’ t waste your time asking God why . Ask your heavenly Father what he wants you to learn in the process .
In seasons when the world seems to be closing in on you , you can experience God as Psalm 46:1 describes him : “ God is our refuge and strength , a very present help in trouble .” You can ’ t know God this way unless you go through stuff . And believe you me , trials and tribulations are a part of life . In fact , it ’ s been said that everyone can be found in one of the three seasons of life : in the midst of a trial , coming out of a trial , or awaiting a trial in the future . This is not a defeatist or pessimistic view of life . It ’ s simply the reality of living in a fallen world . But the good news is , as I ’ ve been sharing throughout this book , God has prepared for us his spiritual RBIs — realities beyond imagination — which can equip us to live victoriously no matter what season of live we ’ re in .
A Plan for Our Suffering
Embrace the apostle Paul ’ s mindset of God ’ s eternal purpose for your scars , as expressed in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 : “ We do not lose heart . Though our outer self is wasting away , our inner self is being renewed day by day . For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison , as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen . For the things that are seen are transient , bu the things that are unseen are eternal .”
From this passage , we can better understand God ’ s plans for our suffering . When you pursue
God ’ s eternal purpose for your life , you realize that your external circumstances are a means to draw you closer to God . Through trials and pain , you have the opportunity to become more acutely aware of God ’ s presence in your life . Then your scars aren ’ t viewed as imperfections but instead badges of honor — trophies of God ’ s healing power and faithful promises like that in Philippians 4:19 : “ My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus .”
My mother died in 1995 from breast cancer at the young age of fifty-five . She was a godly woman who loved Jesus with all her heart , soul , mind , and strength . She taught me to be kind and giving . My mother was a woman of prayer . After she died , I found her prayer journal under her bed . She had written a prayer for me : “ God , knock him off his
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