Embracing the unknown and finding hope
Written by Mikayla Nembhard
Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a heads-up before our lives take a sudden twist? Like having a little roller-coaster operator in our heads warning us to buckle up and keep our hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times because this is going to be a bumpy ride? Yeah, that’s not actually a thing. I would’ve loved it if it were, but reality doesn’t come with a spoiler alert.
A bizarre health crisis at the beginning of 2023 left me confused, in pain, and feeling downright sick. I vividly remember crying out to Jesus in the middle of the night, pleading for healing and comfort. I knew if I couldn’t get immediate healing, I could at least have His presence calm me. But this time, I felt alone.
The loneliness quickly gave me spiritual amnesia. I started to question God, His presence, and even His love for me. The doubts crept in, and it turned into discouragement and then… you guessed it, anxiety. Picture me sitting in bed, panicking, convinced I had to face it all alone because God wasn’t showing up for me. Cue the deep breaths and attempts to calm down. It took about four hours, but I finally managed to get some sleep.
In the morning, feeling ill and frustrated, I decided to have a not-so-pleasant chat with God. “Where were you when I needed you?” I asked, met with a silence so loud I could hear the clock ticking in the other room. I let two minutes pass, then eight, then ten. My impatience began to grow.
I managed to calm myself down again. Then I gave it another shot, this time speaking to God as I would a friend. “Where were you? I’ve never felt so let down. Why did you leave me alone last night? I’m sorry for how I was acting; I was just scared. Say something, I want to hear from you.”
I was met with silence again, and just as I was about to give up, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to grab my Bible. Then I saw the word “Joshua” and the number “1” in my head. I started to flip through the books, almost racing against the ticking clock. Numbers…Deuteronomy…JOSHUA! I found it and began to read. As I started reading, I was met with such peace and awe that it completely shocked me.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
God, unwavering and steadfast, had been by my side throughout, even in the moments when I felt abandoned. His presence transcended the hurt, doubt, fear, and discouragement that had gripped me. There’s nothing I’m going through that He doesn’t know about. He has been, is, and will always be with me, just as He is with you.
Life, as we know, isn’t easy. Sometimes, God takes us through challenging seasons.
These experiences can reignite our faith, deepen our trust in Him, test the resilience of our hearts, or teach us to draw from the reservoirs within.
One thing that remains true: we’re never alone on this journey. He walks every step with us. Take that step towards faith in spite of fear, recognizing that Jesus, the Saviour of the world, stands right there beside us, even in the hard seasons of our lives.
So, as we navigate the twists and turns of life, we are invited to embrace God’s love and guidance. Each challenge becomes a stepping stone, a testament to our growth, and a reminder that even in the stormiest seasons we will see His light glimmering if we are patient enough to keep looking. So, let us press on with resilience, knowing that the journey, though marked by trials, is also filled with the promise of renewal and grace. With our faith in God guiding our decisions and His hope filling our hearts, we can face whatever comes our way.
Mikayla Nembhard is a television producer and editor for On The Path at Yes TV Canada and Pioneer Network. She also serves as one of the two co-hosts for The Brave Girls Podcast at Brave Global.