The Lord’s Grace Through Trial

The past few months have reminded me in a fresh way that life truly is a vapor. My unexpected heart attack was something I never saw coming, but through it the Lord has been graciously teaching and sanctifying me.

First, Jackie and I want to sincerely thank our church family. Your prayers, encouragement, meals, and love have been a tremendous blessing. The Lord has cared for us through His people, and we are deeply grateful.

One of the greatest lessons the Lord has been teaching me is to number my days. Every day is a gift from Him, and I don’t want to take that for granted.

This trial also changed my prayer life. Sitting in the hospital with so many unknowns, thinking about Jackie and our young children, and later coming home unable to do many of the things I normally could, drove me to depend on the Lord in a deeper way. He met me in that uncertainty.

The Lord has also shown me how desperately I need His Word. Fear and anxious thoughts come quickly, but God’s truth steadies our hearts. The more we know who He is through Scripture, the more we can trust Him in every circumstance.

Finally, this season has deepened my desire to lead my family well. By God’s grace, I want to faithfully love my wife, shepherd our children, and point them to Christ in every season of life.

Whatever trial you may be facing, don’t walk through it alone. Lean on Christ, remain in His Word, and exhort one another daily. The Lord is faithful, His grace is sufficient, and He will sustain His people.