I have experienced many difficulties in the past, challenges which I overcame only by God’s grace. In those times, it felt as though God had forgotten me. However, this is not the case. We are told in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (NKJV). As a child of God, I am told that God will always be with me. We need to remember this because at times it is easy to feel alone, forgotten, and vulnerable.
As most of us parents can affirm, we did not understand what “responsibility” was until the moment our kids were born. There were always too many variables, with very few constants. I alone could not solve this formula.
Many years later, I leave it in the Master’s hand to guide me to victory. When one battle is won, another one begins. As a Christian, there must be a difference in how I respond in difficult circumstances. Over many years of facing challenges, I have become, not numb, but rather slow to respond and more diligent, due to my faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. In Psalms 18:2 I am reminded that God is my protector.
I remember being a new Christian in high school and hearing a song that said, “Little flowers never worry… when the rain begins to fall… If it never, never rains, then they’ll never, never grow.” Some older Adventists will know which song I am talking about.
I did not understand the meaning of these lyrics till I was much older, until I had experienced many rainy seasons. I am a child of God, but I live here in this world, where physical, economical, mental, and ethical challenges are always present. There are always good and evil forces at play. I often ask myself, “How do I maintain a positive outlook, living in our world today?” I always find myself taking refuge in God’s promises, not by hiding, but by understanding and believing what God has told me in Psalm 82:6, that I am a child of the Most High.
I have found peace which can only be acquired by the word of God once it is planted in your heart. I am amazed by the Apostle Paul who sat in a Roman prison, not contemplating his future. but writing for us centuries later, giving us courage and assurance of the presence of Jesus Christ.
It is through the rainy seasons that our faith in Jesus Christ grows. I am still growing.
Yousef Sajjadi and his wife, Minerva, are the parents of Jasmine and Roshann, and are members of the Social Committee.