Moments Together for Couples 11/24

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Job 42:2
I know that Thou canst do all things, and that no purpose of Thine can be thwarted.

We knew that people all over the nation were praying for Barbara. Just that knowledge brought incredible comfort and strength. But somewhere along the way I began to think that, because of all these prayers, God was obligated to bring the operation to a quick end. That kind of thinking set me up for disappointment.

At 5:30 P.M., nine and one-half hours into the surgery, the doctor informed us, "Barbara is testing us.... You might as well go get dinner. It's going to be awhile!"

Not only was I now in a wrestling match with fear, but disappointment had also jumped into the ring. I questioned God: "Why do Barbara and I have to go through this? What about all those prayers for her? Why can't this be easy?"

Four hours later, though, the suspense was finally over. When they rolled Barbara out, she was so sleepy she didn't feel my kiss or see the relief on my face. The doctor said the operation was successful, but was one of the most difficult he had performed.

I'm thrilled that Barbara apparently will never experience a racing heartbeat again. And the experience has moved our friendship and partnership to some new levels of intimacy and oneness.

That day was the most challenging of my life. As I laid down to sleep at the foot of Barbara's hospital bed, tears of relief that had been withheld earlier came in abundance. My emotionally turbulent day of suspense, fear, discouragement and doubt had finally come to an end. Through the tears I thanked God that He loved me throughout the day and that He had given me my wife back again.

Prayer:

Thank God for His power to do all things according to His purpose, and ask Him to give you the faith to accept His control over every aspect of your life.

Discuss: In what situations have you expressed anger at God when things didn't go your way? Why do we struggle so when we find out we are not in control, but Someone else is in control?

Would you like your own copy of this devotional?