When the Walls Close In

Trapped.  Hemmed in.  Without options.  Without hope.  I believe that is one of the bare bones definitions of a trial.  We look for a door out, but we find none- whether it be because we were placed there by God,  or because it is inescapable in other ways.   We cry out to God for an answer but the situations persist.  What is a Christian to do when the walls of life are crushing in?

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  I Cor. 10:13 (NIV)

I believe the first thing that we have to do, is recognize God's faithfulness.  People will disappoint us.  Good fortune will fail us.  But God will remain faithful.  He cannot do  otherwise.  Faithfulness is part of His nature. When He does not answer as we had hoped, or in the time frame that we desire, we must cling to the truth that God loves us and will be faithful to us.  Always.  Without fail.  Through time without end.  He is committed  to us.  And He does not break His covenant.

The second thing we must realize is that He is sovereign and has the absolute right to say, "Enough!  It is finished!"  He will not let us remain in a situation beyond His ability to see us through.  When we are going through it, He is there.  And He strengthens us and provides us a way out  or a way of escape.  Even when life feels out of control, it is never out of His  control.  He limits the tests.  The heat of the fire.  The persecution.  He limits it to what He has given us grace to endure. 

Finally, we must confess the Truth of the Word of God instead of the facts of our circumstances.  The power of life and death are in the tongue.  We must choose to speak life and hope into our situations.  We have to dare to believe His Word is true and align our thoughts and words with His.

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."  Psalm 18:19 (NIV)

When the ceiling seems to be dropping, when the walls are suffocating and pressing in, cry out to the One who can set you in a spacious place.  Believe that He is your way out.  He is your portion.  He is your defense.  Faithful, faithful is He.

Dear Lord, I lift up my situations before you and ask you to help me to look above the walls and ceilings of my trials, and instead, look to you, the author and perfecter of my faith.  I see you as my deliverance.  I see your staying hand that prevents me from being consumed in the fire.  I cry out to you!  Rescue me!  Strengthen me.  Open my eyes  to see Your hand.  You are my desire and my defense.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.