Pass Cup Please…

Honesty Alert!

This week was ROUGH in the Kilcoyne home. Every family has their ups and downs–we had more downs than ups this week and I had several moments when I just wanted to pack some bags and RUN. No matter how much faith you have, there will still be times when you ask the Lord to please pass “this cup” (insert your situation here) from you. Sometimes He delivers us right up out of a situation, problem immediately solved. Other times, He carries us through faithfully, and while I am so grateful for that, this week was one that I would have liked to simply been delivered from. And still other times, He is trying to work out issues in our own hearts, teaching us, training us and even disciplining us. Regardless, when its not pleasant, we often want to pray:  Pass cup now please, I’d rather not have to go through this one.

Matthew 26:39 says, “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.”

Even Jesus was thinking on the night before His crucifixion: “Hey Dad, if we don’t have to go through with this, let’s not…BUT, if this is what You want, then I’m all in”

I haven’t had to suffer unto my death for the sake of all mankind, and when I truly think about it, it sobers me as to what our Lord really did for us and how He battled the same emotions we do, yet obeyed the Father unto death for my sin, for my reconciliation to the Father. Though I can barely comprehend His innocent death, I do know what it is like to die to self in the midst of a crises, trial or disciplinary season. In a very small way, I get a taste of death when I choose to lay myself and my flesh down for the work God wants to do- but boy- does it sting and I don’t even come close to what my King did.

I’ve currently been in a season of brokenness that has been as messy and ugly as it can get. It seems that I have been having to face outward and inner crisis back to back for quite some time, and I haven’t been the stellar Christian I would have hoped to be. I’ve cried, then grabbed a hold of momentary faith, I’ve shouted, then fell into silence, I’ve made judgements, then repented for making assumptions, I’ve laid down when I should of stood and I’ve come out swinging when I should have knelt. I’ve even questioned God in areas I didn’t think I ever would. I’ve been so hurt that I asked over and over, “Why God, Why?” Not exactly the steady faith-filled woman I so long to be.

When you’re facing crisis of any kind, it isn’t always easy to sort through the mess initially, it takes some time with Him to process and sift through situations and determine the best course of action in Him. I am grateful for His guidance and this week has been no exception. While I can only be who I am, and honest about that, I also know that there comes a point, which I have reached many times over the past five years through various issues, that I sense that I have to steel myself to do what He reveals to me regardless of the way I or others feel. When the rug gets pulled out from me,  I do the only thing I know to do, and that is to turn to my Father.  I literally live moment to moment when I’m in this place. While I know I don’t handle everything perfectly, here is what I do know in a nutshell about when a crisis rises up and I have no idea what to immediately do:

1. Always Pray or cry out to your Lord first. – He is our Guide, Wisdom and Protector and even if it is a quick thought in your head, acknowledge Him as soon as you are in trouble. (Mine was simply, “Oh Lord help right now.”) (Phil 4: 6) *I have made the mistake, more often than not, of talking with a person when I’m hurting rather than first talking with God. It’s so easy to fall into this pattern and I have had to repent many times for it. If I have knowledge of my doing any wrong, I repent and ask Him to forgive me.
2. Second, recognize whether or not the situation is beyond you and get the necessary help. Call 911 if necessary, police, a trusted adviser or pastor. I am grateful for a community of believers that surround us with godly counsel. There truly is safety in the multitude of counselors and the Body of Christ covers you in times of distress. (Proverbs 24:6) *Certain crises’ require professional help and there is no shame in that. Some of the things I’ve faced in the past required very delicate handling, or even legal counsel. I have been so grateful for the pastors and professionals who have helped me or my family when needed.
3. Do not suffer in silence, ask for prayer. This doesn’t mean that you have to tell everybody about your situation, but it does mean that when you need the power of agreement in prayer to support you, take the opportunity with bible believing Spirit-led people. (Matthew 18: 19-20) *There is so much comfort and power in being able to go to trustworthy people who will truly lay hold of the alter of God’s throne with you.
4. When a situation stabilizes or at least calms, turn to the Word of God as quickly as you can if you are not already reading your bible. There is no other real answer. His Word is our anchor in stormy weather, our foundation from which we cannot be moved. The bible gives us a whole perspective on a situation so that we can see clearly. (1Cor 3:9-11) *I’ve spent hours upon hours pouring over those precious pages for wisdom, correction and instruction. And I know I have years ahead of me of much more study. The times when I have not been in the Word quickly enough, my perception tends to dull and this is of no benefit at all. The Word of God can address any need, get us back on track, and guide us, but we must first take the time to read it and receive it before it can work. He knows how to give us the exact scripture we need at the moment we need it in order to withstand any storm we face.

Without the Lord, we are left to muddle through situations that arise on a daily basis all by ourselves. But with Him, He works all things for good for those who love Him and we are not alone. (Romans 8:28)  Do you love Him? If you answered yes, then you can trust Him too. If you find that your ‘cup’ is not passing, that you won’t be able to avoid a situation, then know that He wants to walk with you through it. Be open to letting Him lead that process and rest in the fact that He is so very faithful to see you through.

Completely His, Nicci