“When Life is Hard, Keep Praying to God” by Guest Writer: Adrienne Gaines

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:38-39 NIV

“Please let me transfer schools.”

Dropping out wasn’t an option, but could I transfer colleges? Honestly, I didn’t really know how to do that either.

For years, my mother told me that I needed a basketball scholarship and by the grace of God I earned one. Nobody warned me about the mental, emotional, and physical battles I would face in college.

For the next four years, I called my mom every time I hit adversity. Every time I wanted to quit, she talked me through.

I am thankful God warned us that we will suffer in this life. But if I’m honest, I can still be caught off guard. Sometimes we can feel like Mike Tyson came out of no where and hit us with his powerful left hook!

Before Jesus left heaven, he knew becoming human meant hunger, thirst, weariness, rejection, betrayal, and death. Unlike us, Jesus knew exactly how and when he would suffer.

How did Jesus endure day after day? Jesus trusted His Father. His trust drove him to frequently withdraw to pray.

Jesus depended on his close relationship with His Father.

Can you imagine going through your trials WITHOUT God?

When the time came to go to the cross, Jesus knew in a few hours he would be betrayed and arrested. Because the situation was more than he could handle in his human nature, Jesus knew to withdraw and pray.   

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38 NIV

Being the Son of God did not stop Jesus from feeling the hurt and agony.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you questioned if you would make it? You know there is no way out and you must go through. Jesus understands this depth of sorrow.

It wasn’t the suffering or dying, but the separation from God that grieved his soul. As believers, we will never feel the sorrow of being separated from God. Because he took on our sin, Jesus ensured our eternal relationship with God.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 NIV

Yes, Jesus knew the cross was the only way and his relationship with God would be restored. But He still prayed so earnestly that his sweat became like great drops of blood. His first prayer lasted an hour. Faced with temptation to seek his own will, Jesus prayed two more times.

In agony, He still trusted His Father. God never allowed the cup to pass, but God gave Jesus the strength to drink it.

ADRIENNE GAINES

Even Jesus experienced the coexistence of agony and trust.

Don’t you and I find ourselves here too? When it hurts to stand still or move, cry out to God. God will give us the supernatural strength to keep going. Keep praying!

There is NOTHING you or I can face that God cannot see us through. Nothing!

“Dear God, some days I go to bed and wake up overwhelmed. But God I thank You for the promise to not only be with me but to strengthen me. Thank You that in the times of my deepest despair You have comforted and carried me. God, I praise You for bringing me through storms I thought would take me out. I am so thankful for Your promise to never leave nor forsake me. I can face anything with You. In Jesus name, Amen.“

Adrienne Gaines is a Christ follower, wife, and mother of three very active kids. She recently became an ordained minister. She has been teaching God’s word for 20 years and recently began pursuing her call from God to write. You can follow her new blog at https://adriennegaines.com

We thank you, Adrienne, for your contribution to this month’s publication of Titus-two.com, talking about Peace in Christ.

You are loved to Heaven and Back, Adrienne ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary