Greater things than these...

Take your burdens and troubles and losses and wrongs, if come they must and will, as opportunities, knowing that God has girded you for greater things than these. -- Horace Bushnell

I am in the process of buying another car. My car is my independance. It allows me to go and do as I feel the Lord would have me without much thought or effort. But when the car isn't working properly, I suddenly feel very, very dependant...but as a single woman, there is no one for me to be dependant on in that moment. Consequently, I feel very alone and tend towards fear.

Having a car repaired, or purchasing a new one, also involves money. Money is another thing that is a sign or enabler of independance for me. And, when it is running low or all gone, I feel as dependant and alone as when my car won't go.

In the grand scheme of things, though, I realize these are not big, life-altering issues. I've never gone without a car or without help to fix my car. I've never gone hungry or had to file bankruptcy or anything like that. God has always provided and always will, I know this. I also know that this is true whether the issue is car or money or family or work or friendships or sickness...whatever. But whatever the issue, when it is current and in my face is tends to seem really, REALLY big; mountainous, if you will. Which is why I really love the quote above.

Issues will always come, but we must also remember that they will always go, too. Only God remains, and remain He will no matter what. His promise is to never leave us nor forsake us. This promise is not contingent on the size and magnitude of our issues it is true for troubles and burdens and losses and wrongs whether great or small...and it remains true regardless of the degree to which our hearts magnify our issues. He has gird us for greater things than these...greater than our greatest fear or need or desire...greater things than even these.