Living Well Through the Storm
Kim and I were talking with my sister last night through a video call. We praise the Lord that she can now move about quite freely, eat well, and, most especially, that her trust and faith in the Lord remain intact. More than six months ago, she survived a serious accident as a passenger in a commuter van traveling from Casiguran, Aurora, to Manila in the Philippines—a drive that normally takes about seven hours.
The accident left her unconscious for several weeks and affected her voice and speech. For months, she required an NGT (nasogastric tube) for nutrition. The entire ordeal was difficult and challenging, compounded by complications with reimbursement from the at-fault party.
And yet, as we talked, she spoke not primarily about the hardship but about God’s gracious providence over her life. She believes that the purposes God has for her cannot ultimately be thwarted—even by an accident that nearly took her life. For her, her recovery has become a testimony to God’s sustaining grace.
It is true: “Character is forged in adversity, faith is tested in trials, and love is revealed in how we respond.” Paul expressed a similar truth when he wrote, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3–4, NLT).
The practices of living well are not always as easy as walking in a park. Sometimes they lead us through difficult terrain, unexpected setbacks, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles that make us want to give up. But often, in these moments, faith moves from what we profess to what we practice. So let us keep drawing strength and courage from God’s promise: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6, NLT).
After all, the One who walks with us through every season remains the same: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).
-Pastor Lim
