I sit staring at the sunny, beautiful sky outside. The world is still the same and people are going about their normal business. The clock keeps going and all looks well. But it is not. I just got some bad news and I feel the world should stop still at my pain. Everybody should stop what they are doing and come share in my pain. The sun should acknowledge that something has happened and not shine so bright!
I know. Life doesn’t happen like that. Your pain is your pain. Own it and move on. Some other people just got good news and they are rejoicing. Somewhere, a baby has just been born. Somewhere else, a precious life has just been lost. That is the story of our existence here.
It is noteworthy to state that this pain is not even mine, I am just being a good friend, sharing in a friend’s pain. But my pain is convoluted, because there are other pains that were already existing. Small things here and there, that make me more sensitive to the recent news and make my burden bigger than it would have been.
Maybe you can relate with what I am going through. Living in Nigeria in the past one year has been traumatic. It has been one thing after the other, and we have had more than enough. Most people are asking, ‘When will this end?’
There’s public pain and there’s private pain. When the two collide, it makes for a very sad state. That is why I am sitting, looking at the sky, with the sun shining bright. It is a beautiful sight to behold. And I would not have noticed it, if all was well. I would have been too busy.
So, this morning, I am grateful. I am thankful that in spite of the pain I am experiencing right now, God is still on the throne, and the governance of the earth is still tightly in His grasp. He sees, He knows, He cares. And His faithfulness remains.
I may not be able to explain why the things causing this pain have been allowed to happen or even linger. All I know is that when I call to Him, in my distress, He will answer me (Psalm 120:1). He will be with me in trouble. He will rescue me and honour me (Psalm 91:15). He is my Father and my God (Psalm 89:26) and I trust Him to make it all good in His time (Eccle.3:1,11).
“The grass withers, and the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40: 8 NKJV
