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Listen while you read: "The Master Hath Come"1 (Lyrics) |
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called to His purpose. (NKJV)
I had led a blessed life, until depression robbed my husband of his very being. For 18 months, he suffered unbearably. God seemed oblivious to our prayers as my dear husband bounced in and out of hospital. On numerous occasions, in complete despair, he tried to take his own life. I dreaded coming home for fear of what I would find. Inexplicably, he died in a car accident. Then, within the next five months, my father, up until then an active, healthy 75-year-old, died. Many people draw closer to God during suffering, but I was angry at God. If I'm honest, I would say that I found today's Scripture not only unhelpful, but also dismissive of my losses. Thankfully, God doesn't give up on us, and at some point, I remember telling God that while I still didn't understand, I wasn't angry any more. A friend asked me, "If you understood the reason behind your losses, would it help?" I thought that it would.
Fast forward to January of this year. I was on day 2 of a 6-day, 3,500-mile journey to Yuma, Arizona, USA, determined to drive almost 600 miles each day. Imagine my displeasure when, early in the day, an "Interstate closed" sign routed me off the freeway into rural Pennsylvania. I called my trusty OnStar advisor to ask for the shortest route back to Interstate 84. I was in the Pocono Mountains, beautiful in the summer, but not so much on narrow and icy winter roads. Later, I realized that this was not the shortest route, but turning back then would waste more time. Finally, I returned to the Interstate. I saw 30 rescue vehicles and realized that this was the scene of an extremely serious accident. I stopped for gas, intending to make up time, but back on the highway, my system repeatedly told me, "Make a legal and safe U-turn"!
The rest of the day, I called OnStar every 45 minutes, waited to be transferred to Technical Assistance, and waited again while they reset my system. This involved pulling over, turning off the ignition, waiting for one minute, and restarting the vehicle. Inevitably the result would be the same: "Make a legal and safe U-turn!" It wasn't long before I figured out that (1) there was no way to make up the lost time, and (2) for whatever reason, God did not want me to make the progress that I had planned that day. Imagine my distress when I was told that because the last reset had failed, my dealership would have to upgrade the hardware. WHAT!! I'm outside a city of two million that I have to traverse at rush hour without technical assistance! I pulled over, studied the map, and said a prayer.
That night, I thanked God for keeping me safe. I actually stopped praying when I suddenly realized that the reasons behind my continuing grief were exactly like the roadblocks that I had encountered. I knew that God had reasons for impeding my travel plans. Perhaps it was to avoid accidents, or perhaps to put me in a certain place to wait out the impending ice storm. I would never know, but I did know that it was for His purposes and my safety. I still have difficulty, eight years later, comprehending how God will work good out of my grief, but now I realize that I do not need to understand — I just need to trust Him.
The next morning, I discovered that OnStar was working perfectly, and has ever since then! I smiled as I realized the miracle that I had encountered both in my car's system and in my own healing.
Prayer: Dear God, we are so blessed that You never give up on us, despite months or even years of anger and questioning. Help us simply to be still, to listen for Your voice, and to trust that You are in control. Amen.
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daughter: "Update May 12, 2025: Please keep praying for my daughter. She needs the Lord in her life*** April..." 
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Hi Orlanda,
Thanks for the devotional so close to my heart.
I was always just go, go, go, until God slowed me down almost a year ago — diagnosed with cancer and some memory loss. I did retire early with all this going on and thank our Lord for being cancer free. I have a lovely wife that help me through all of this. We moved and live right on Lake Superior. It’s awesome. I said to my wife, everyday is just another Sunday for me. Starting to write our family history that I never thought about because God gave me time I even started writing a letter to all my grandkids for when they grow up.
Enjoy your day and thanks for what doing every day.
Thanks for the good word Orlanda.
That is an incredibly encouraging story, blessings to you for sharing.
Thank you for your writing this morning. I said the prayer. The words that
you wrote meant a lot to me.
Dear Orlanda thank you for your wonderful Devotional.
Every blessing on your day.
God may be difficult to understand but not difficult to love, just as He
Loves us. God Bless you, for blessing us with your Devotional.
God works in mysterious ways. I pray that you will continue to trust Him.
I have had many doubts recently and trusting in God carries me.
Dear Orlanda:
AMEN, AMEN!!!!!!!
Beautiful and very wise words. Thank you.
Thank you for a remarkable account of our frailties and His grace! Those who are prone to depression find this so-o-o encouraging I always enjoy your submissions and find them helpful. Blessings.
Hello Orlanda,
Thank you for tackling the Romans scripture with your personal story and your honest struggles. It was a very honest and thoughtful reflection.
Blessings.
Amen! The Master hath come!
Thank you for sharing your deep story in faith!
The Master leads His own through the deep unknown in time to everlasting peace!
Blessings as you are steadied to walk along!
Good morning Orlanda, I marvel at how we as children of God can touch each other every morning through the devotionals. As I was reading yours I was close to tears of how I could relate to your story. I realize that trust is so, so important and thank you for sharing your life experience. Made the risen Christ dwell in you more and more every day,
Thank you for sharing that very personal story, Orlanda. You will no doubt receive lots of mail from those – like myself – who have suffered the hell of depression. One good thing I know that came out of it is that now I can empathize with others, even in its total inexplicity.
You are very strong to attempt that road trip. God was with you in the car.
Bless you.
Orlanda,
You can’t imagine (but being a believer, perhaps you will!)… how many people like myself can relate to your story (today in fact!), and that’s no coincidence.
God provided me with your sharing on a day I truly needed to be reminded of all that you shared.
God bless you.
Dear Orlanda,
I just finished reading today’s daily devotional.
My heart was breaking as I read to the end.
God Bless You for sharing your story.
Blessings,
(NB)
Thank you for good word this morning Orlanda. I think this is a verse that a great many of us have felt angry about amidst certain very difficult times in our lives. And though you state you still do not comprehend how God will work good out of your grief, it seems to me that your deepening trust in His presence and guidance is most definitely one of those good things Romans 8:28 implies. Keep going my friend, you’re doing great.
Blessings.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Although we may not always understand why, God is still in control and is always available to guide us. Unlike your OnStar, He never fails us. It’s the lesson I experienced when my husband, father, and mother-in-law all passed on to glory within three weeks. I drowned in tears.
My heart goes out to you as do my prayers. Depression and suicide are tragedies beyond comprehension. Perhaps someday they will find a cure, not just treat the symptoms with medications that have such difficult side effects and/or simply quit working.
My heart hurt for you when I read your devotional because my heart remembered my own experience of sorrow.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with us. Blessings.
Orlanda, thank you so much for sharing this wonderful testimony. May God continue to work in your life for His glory!
Blessings.
Thank you Orlanda, for sharing your story. It took me back many years to a time when I was afraid to come home for fear of what I would find, at a time when my brother stayed with us during his deep depression. What a terrible feeling that was.
I have lost several family members over the past few years. I remember at one point being very angry, as the world went on its merry way.
At some points along my path, God has given me glimpses of some good that came out of my loss. Someone’s pain ended and some family drew closer together, realizing how short our time really is. Although it doesn’t erase the hurt, in time it eased the emptiness.
God’s ways are not our ways, and as you so eloquently put it, if we simply ask Him to help us be still, to listen for His voice, and to trust implicitly that God is in control, His blessed peace and love will guide us through the days ahead. I expect your story will have resonated with many this day, so keep doing what God lays on your heart to do.
Blessings,
(ON Canada)
Dear Orlanda,
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will have rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus loves you and me and many others tremendously.
He gave all of the words of the Bible to you and me and to many others.
He gave his life for you and me and many others.
I say, “Lord, I love you for what you have done for you and me and all who accept his free gift.” Thank you.
You have not had an easy time, but God still always loves you tremendously. His gift is without charge.
Dear Orlanda:
I love the testimony your presentation brings to others.
Praise the Lord.