“Why me?” “Why, out of all people, am I going through this?” “What did I do to deserve this?” These are just a few questions that, we as humans, ask ourselves on a day to day basis. Trust me. I am one of them. I can, honestly, say that I don’t ask these questions as often as I had before, but I have asked them more than just a few. I came across the attached video on Facebook one morning and at first, I shared it. I, immediately, took it down because I had an “AHA” moment, so to speak. There are many sermons preached that replay in my mind that I have heard over the years, but two in particular came to mind when I saw this video. One sermon was called, “Get Out Your Feelings, It Ain’t Even About You”. My sister in Christ talked about how different things that we go through in life is not for us. It’s ultimately for God to get glory out of us. Another sermon topic, given by my brother-in-law, was called, “Why Not You?” I never forgot that sermon because I was going through a lot during that time where I asked God almost everyday, “Why me?” and I asked myself, “Why not me? I’m strong enough to take this. God has instilled enough in me to go through this.”

                As the woman spoke in the video about all the prayers that her and her husband prayed had been answered except that one, it made me think of all of my unanswered prayers, as well as, my answered ones that I was not quite ready for. What I mean by that is, a lot of things we ask God for, we want them in our hearts, but we are not ready for these things to come to pass. We could either not be emotionally or financially ready, or we just aren’t mature enough to handle the thing we’re asking for. An example for me would be, while my children’s father was sick, I would pray for him all the time. Most of the time, I would pray for him more than myself. One morning, we had a HUGE argument and I remember on the drive to work, I asked God to heal him on this side (EARTH) or the other side (HEAVEN). I just knew that things could be better; they just had to. I asked GOD to do this believing that HE could handle it, but not knowing in what way He was going to do it. When Jerod passed away, I asked GOD all of those questions that, we as humans, ask. “WHY?” My sister in Christ reminded me of what I asked God to do, and now, I was upset that GOD heard me, but didn’t answer the way I wanted HIM to. It took me a short time to realize that what I went through was not only for me, but it was to show someone else how, after something happens in your life that changes your entire world so suddenly, GOD will show you, that HE still answers prayers, will continue to bless you in the middle of what you are going through, and, most of all, how to trust HIM more. I went through to help someone else get through.

My pastor gave the illustration in revival the other night in the form of an analogy of life and a roller coaster. At the roller coaster, there is a line of people waiting to get on the ride. While waiting for your turn, you see others enjoying the ride all the way around. You may, even, see some people crying, falling out, wondering when this ride is going to end. Remember, in this line, you are watching them. You are watching them go through this ride, as well as, how they are handling the ride and you make a choice. How will you handle the ride when your turn comes because it’s coming around? The Bible says in 1 Peter 4:12-13 King James Version (KJV), “ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” In my studies, I have found the Message Bible give better understandings to most scriptures. It says regarding this same scripture, “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” This further lets me know that everything that goes on in my life, every trial, every test, is for God to get glory out of me.

All in all, we hear the saying all the time that this world was not meant to be easy. We are all going to go through SOMETHING, whether big or small, and what may be big to me, may be small to you, but that’s because GOD never puts more on us than we, as the individual, can handle. Just get through it. We have to realize, through life, we’re not the only ones going through and won’t be the last. So, get the test, go through the test with God at your side to guide, pass it, and help someone else going through the same test get through. Be Blessed.