Grief into glory – Sis. Evangeline Paul Dhinakaran

“Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance…… and everlasting joy will be yours.” (Isaiah 61:7)
We go through moments in life when we feel like questioning God about our sufferings. Sometimes our pain seems to be more than what we can bear. Certain other times we face humiliation and shame. God allows situations where people walk over our heads. We feel that God has been hiding Himself from us as in Isaiah 45:15 “Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Saviour of Israel”. But the verse clearly portrays God as our Saviour for He surely saves those who trust in Him. He goes before us and is with us in all our circumstances (Deuteronomy 31:8). What surprises us does not surprise Him. He only permits His children to pass through trying moments in order to lift their heads in the future.

Recently, I went to Tirunelveli. I placed the garland on my father and my mother’s tomb and prayed. When I stood beside the tomb of my mother and when I was praying aloud, the Lord reminded me of my mother. When she carried me in her womb, her mother in law would not give food for her to eat. She has to cook for all and they were living as a joint family. But after serving food for all, the food would be over and there won’t be any food for her. There won’t be anybody to ask her, ‘Did you eat?’. My mother has said, “I have cooked even without drinking water.”  There was neither food nor water for her and she said, “This was how I carried you in my womb.” When delivery pain came, they pushed her outside the house and locked the door in. I was born on the mud ground. She suffered all these for me. She went through bitterness. Today I am blessed because my mother suffered.God has given me such a blessed life.

In a way, Jesus also went through bitterness.  He suffered saying, “My children should not face difficulties. Let them be well.” He carried our shame, our pain and our bitterness to give us double portion of honour and joy. He will not let us languish in our affliction. He will come to our aid at the right time for His Word says “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).. These sufferings are meant for a short time. Take courage. Beautiful days are ahead.

Prayer:
My Sweet Father in Heaven,

I ask You to change my bitter situation into a sweet one. I believe You will turn my shame into a double portion of honour and joy. Help me to be patient in my affliction and be strong in You. Let me fix my eyes on You and not on the waters that surround me.

In Jesus name I pray,

Amen.