When Trouble Comes

​I have always loved haunted mazes. In high school and college, my friends and I would make sure to visit our local corn maze each year. They built a massive and phenomenally scary haunted maze each October. It was a thrill to walk blindly in the dark not knowing when something or someone was going to jump out and frighten you. We would scream and we would laugh until we cried. It was thrilling because we knew it was not real. The things in that maze could not really cause us harm or distress. 
 
Things are quite different in real life. Those things that come out of nowhere seem bigger and scarier. The darkness and the unknown do not bring laughs in the real world because they can become big things that harm us and cause us fear.

My husband and I are navigating the foster care system. We are currently completing all necessary steps to open our home for foster care. Our emotions have been on a wild roller coaster, and we know it will only speed up once a child is placed in our home. It seems that the questions pile up, the unknowns become scarier, and the what ifs grow larger each day.
 
Reading through Nehemiah, the account of the Israelites rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem spoke to my heart.

So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.” Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. Nehemiah 4:21 - 23

​The people faced severe opposition. They had to work while holding weapons for protection. They labored day and night building and guarding. Do you ever feel the exhaustion of laboring day and night to work for and guard your family?
 
Nehemiah believed that God would see them through. Even through the opposition, the taunts, the fear, and the exhaustion, he placed his full trust in the Lord. Nehemiah knew the work God had called him to complete, and he knew God would provide if he was obedient.
 
Jesus knew the trouble we would face. He knew how hard and scary the world can be, but He left us with a promise. John 16:33 reminds us that this world will bring trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world. He is victorious! 
 
When the world is dark and scary, we can place our trust in Jesus. When the path seems unclear, we can lean on Him. When life throws it taunts and fears our way, we can stand firm in God’s calling and promises.
 
Nehemiah knew the trouble this world could bring, but just as Jesus promised, Nehemiah also knew that God would be victorious. My husband and I know that this path we are on will bring fear, pain, and sadness. However, we can stand firm just as Nehemiah and the people of Israel did with our weapon in one hand (God’s very words and promises) while we continue the work the Lord has laid before us with the other hand. 
 
Our God is faithful. He is working for our good and for His glory (Rom. 8:28). And He is victorious. Wherever He has called you, continue to fight clinging to His word and His promises as you continue in His work. 

Memory Verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:3

About the Author

Hello! My name is Lindsay McNeely. I live in Tennessee with my husband of 10 years and our daughter (4). Working full-time is both challenging as a mother and rewarding. The challenges cause me to take full advantage of every second with my loving family. On the weekends, we love to grab brunch, explore our little city, or take a short trip together. Time in the Word with other women is my passion and fuel. Join us as we dive deeper in our faith, in God's word, and in community.