John 11: 4, Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it He said, “This does not lead to death.  It is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

Think for a minute about how Mary and Martha must have felt. How could they have any hope left when Jesus didn’t come as they had expected? They had been mourning Lazarus for four days when Jesus arrived. They knew He wasn’t that far away, and yet He didn’t arrive until after Lazarus had died. I can only imagine the lies satan was trying to use on them during that time.  “Where is He? Doesn’t He care? He must be too busy!  We aren’t that important.”  Satan is the father of lies, and he will badger you until it drives you crazy if you don’t stop those lies at the door of your mind.  Do NOT entertain those lies for a moment!  Ask God for His strength and grace to get through and for Him to show you anything He is trying to teach you through whatever it is.  

When they arrived at the tomb, and Jesus told them to roll away the stone, Martha’s immediate response was, “He has been dead for four days, so by now he must smell really bad!” Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you keep trusting, you will see the glory of God?”   Sometimes God allows things to bring glory to Himself through you, not only through whatever great miracles He may perform in the end of it all, but through your response as you are going through it.  Are you seeking His face?  Are you clinging to His promises and trusting Him and His timing?  Believe Him and trust Him!  Our time here on earth is short, so let’s strive not to miss a moment of shining His light to those around us.  Be His hands and feet!  Look for other people who can use some encouragement or a hand up, and bless them with it!  Pray for God to protect you and your heart and mind from satan’s attacks and be all He created you to be by His grace and with the strength He provides.  You are stronger than you may think, and He will guide you and help you through to the other side!  He will give you any strength you may be lacking to get through the day ~ just take one day at a time!