Into the Furnace

[The Midweek Encounter is a ministry of Encounter Church in Kentwood, MI. These posts are reflections on Sunday's message, which can be heard here each week: http://myencounterchurch.org/#/messages-media]

Many of us have heard the saying that “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” We often use these words to offer comfort to others in a time of sorrow or suffering, but are they really true? As Christians, can we honestly say to one another that God gives you just enough sorrow and pain so that you don’t get pushed to the edge?

As we read this week in 1 Kings 19, Elijah was fleeing from the threats of Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife. He ran into the wilderness to escape the hand of Jezebel, but also to attempt to flee God’s presence. He prayed that the Lord might take his life—Elijah was on the edge and ready to jump. He had reached a point that seemed so desperate and helpless that death was the only answer.

God gave Elijah more pain than he could handle, and it was in this moment that the Lord showed up. Instead of comforting Elijah with words or empty sayings, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and simply said: “Get up and eat.” God provided the much-needed nourishment of breakfast to sustain Elijah through his difficult journey. After Elijah rested once more, the angel appeared again and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” This time Elijah was strengthened and continued his journey, finally arriving at Horeb, the mountain of God.

During Elijah’s most vulnerable moments, even when he had given up on his own life, God reached down and merely offered him something to eat. This simple comfort amidst extreme suffering was the turning point for Elijah. The angel also recognized that Elijah could not handle the journey alone; he needed help along the way to strengthen and sustain him.

God recognizes when we have reached the edge, and it is during those times when He shows up in our lives—often in the form of family or friends. While I have dealt with pain in my life, my suffering seems like nothing compared to the sorrows I have seen my family and friends go through: loss of a loved one, depression, bankruptcy, and terminal illness to name a few. Standing on the outside looking in is often difficult—we don’t know what to say or do and are afraid of offending or of being vulnerable.

However, as we saw illustrated in Elijah’s story, God calls us to purely be with our brothers or sisters in suffering. Whether that means cooking a meal, saying a silent prayer, or listening with an open heart, we might not know which is best. But in those moments, God shows up with us in the furnace and offers healing, peace, and redemption.

Photo Credit: Flickr user erix!, Creative Commons

1 Peter 5:10-11, “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. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Maybe we need to reconsider how we view fellow Christians and human beings during their intense times of pain and suffering. Instead of simply offering empty words and clichés like “God will never give you more than you can handle”, maybe we are called to step into the furnace with our brothers and sisters during their darkest times in life.

Who do you know that simply needs a brother or sister to walk into the furnace with them today? Pray that God opens your heart and eyes to see what He sees, that you might listen to the Holy Spirit’s calling and jump into the furnace with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

[Megan Stephenson is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University and works for a private education group in Grand Rapids as an Assistant Registrar. She loves spending time with her husband, Ben, trying out new breweries, restaurants, and local attractions. She also self-identifies as a crazy cat lady, despite owning no cats of her own, thanks to her loving and allergic husband.]