When adversity strikes in whatever form it comes at you , the real beliefs we have come to the surface. We can say things, we can think that we are okay, but we are truly tested under the fire of tragedy. If we are honest we know that when the rubber meets the road God wants to know how strong our faith really is, he doesn't care how many times we have been to church, he wants to ask of us, "Are you with me no matter what"?
We read about Job and often say, he was a much better man than me. He was hit hard from every side and he wasShaken, But Not Broken. Those around him admired and taunted him at the same time. They could not understand how such a good man could suffer so many setbacks, and they underestimated his faith in his God and in the process of life. He knew that no matter what, God had his back. Recently, my faith was tested beyond what I thought I could bear, and I constantly thought of Job. I was floored, hit hard and hurt so bad that I thought surely this is where I go back to being the old Glenn. But I found something out about my own faith and beliefs in that process, I was truly Shaken, But Not Broken. I never blamed God, never questioned him much to my surprise. I understood that much worse could have happened, but in his sovereign way, God turned tragedy into a triumph of the goodness of mankind. And, in this past month I have learned just how much love there is in this life that I never saw before. When a bad situation comes at you, and if you have had none, I promise at least one will come your way, you will see who you really are. And if there is just one thing you could do to get ready for that moment, it would be to make sure you really believe in the Lord. Not a church, not some eloquent preacher, not some doctrine, but really connect with you savior every day, so that when those tragic moments occur, you know beyond a shadow of a doubt he is by your side. I know, he has carried me for the past month, he is the one who has seen all my tears, heard my pleas and he now knows that my faith has been shaken, but not broken.
1 Comment
Rayshoun Chambers
10/22/2015 10:23:15 pm
I am SOOOOO very moved by this.... I have not been THRU ANYTHING close to what has been experienced by your family. But i do know my life has been tested. I was blessed to purchase a car after the recent family reunion in July two weeks later I was in the car accident in that same car coming home from a job interview of which I was offered the job, a very large well paying job - resigned my six figure job to later find out that I had been a victim of identity theft... So, the job that was on the table for me at the new company was rescinded. Soon after my oldest brother ( two years older) than I am experienced a stroke. since then I have been going through a lot of things financially, emotionally, mentally however my faith has remained strong and I continue to cry out to God and thank him for everything he's ever done for me in the midst of what I'm experiencing; I've come to so many new levels of understanding with regard to my faith I am more thankful for my Campus family now than ever before. While I no longer reside in Atlanta, and I'm on the quest and course that God has for me - I am more than ever committed to pursuing my faith and embrace it as Gods word, and live a Purpose Driven Life....I agree with you---and in my experience I will BEND but I will not BREAK. I love campus, I love the Lord, and I love everything THAT is coming next---- God has a plan for me.
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Glenn YankowskiGlenn is an ex-Marine Viet Nam vet who is also a recovering alcoholic, clean and sober for 30 years. He has been involved in start up and ongoing recovery ministry at North Atlanta Church and Campus for the last two decades. He has a passion for outreach and to spread the message that the answer to lasting and fulfilling recovery from addiction is in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He and the ATB team are available to assist in your questions or needs on an individual basis and will do so maintaining complete confidentiality. You may e-mail him at [email protected]. Archives
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