The Trial

The boat begins to move faster and faster down the river that you’re traveling. The water starts to seize the boat. Faster and faster. You start to panic. You see a light in the distance. As the boat is rocked and swayed by the rushing waters, you pray to God for His protection and mercy. You plead with Him. “God! Help me!” You cry out in anger as the boat is moving faster and faster. The water is rushing around you, your nerves are on high level. You’re loosing control of the boat. The boat starts to leak. You look up to the Heavens to try and find peace. You stand to jump out of the boat because there’s no other way to survive this mess. Suddenly the light catches your eyes. And that’s where you find your peace you’ve been searching for. You sit down in the boat, sweat pouring off your brow. Once again, you lift your eyes to the Heavens, but this time you don’t scream out in anger. Instead, you gently raise your hands to the sky. “God, lead me to still waters,” you whisper amongst the surging river and your leaking boat. There was a gentle breeze that whipped through your hair. “I have promised to lead you to still waters in My Word (Psalm 23:2). I have also said that there will be hard times and days of trials, but don’t worry for I am with you always(John 16:33),” a voice whispered. Just then, you feel a gentle hand on your shoulder. You feel calm and collected as the light from a lighthouse shines on a surging waterfall. You start to panic again. “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10),” you hear whispered through the breeze. Once more you calm down as the boat surfs gently down the waterfall. You hang on tight to the boat as the cool mist gently sprinkles your face. As the boat moves out of the misty area, you notice how still the waters are. The rough waters were worth getting to the smooth waters. You see a sturdy harbor, where you securely tie up the boat. As you travel up a smooth path, you see a warm fire and a small cabin. You go inside the cabin to find a bed and a table with a lamp on it. There was a ruffled piece of paper on the table. You picked it up and read, “In the trial, you have surrendered your life to Me. In the trial, you have clung tightly to My Everlasting arms (Isaiah 46:4). In the trial, you have learned to trust Me through the obstacles that have crossed your path. In the trial, I have lead you to still waters. And at the end of your trial, you have been rewarded. I cannot promise a smooth journey from here, however don’t let that discourage you, but let My Presence encourage you (Isaiah 41:10). I promise to always be there with you to guide you. I am your Friend. I will never fail you (Deuteronomy 31:8). Stay the path that I have paved for you and I will be with you. No matter how far you may wonder, I’ll always leave a light on for you to come home to (Hebrews 13:5). Signed with everlasting joy, blessings, and love, Your Heavenly Father.”