TIME: Keeps ticking
The Bible tells us that life is fleeting, and a vapor (see James 4:14). We are not guaranteed another moment on this planet, and yet we often live as if time is unending and lasting. This world is not our home, we merely occupy it here for a brief moment.
Recently, I was reminded of the fact of the brevity of this life, as a young man of ten years-old went heaven-ward. He was a beautiful child, a son, and friend. A dreadful sickness came upon him, and his time here on this planet was over. I have begun to consider age in a different light. We all believe that we have more time than we actually do, we all think 80 or perhaps 90 years is a timeframe of mankind. What if, however, and as Acts 17:26 mentions:
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,”
What if, my preappointed time is 52-years old? If that is the case, then I am in the deep winter of my life here and eternity is just around the corner for me. What if, as for another friend’s son - 19-years old was the preappointed time? What if?
Where are we today?
Our struggles are real, in this life, in this day and throughout our journeys, but we have a heavenly home where Jesus is even now preparing for those who love Him. His word tells us this:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
Notice how Jesus never says when He will come and receive us? He does not give us a time, but says these words, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32).
We begin to live, however- as if this world were our final destination. We become enculturated in the thoughts and ideas of this world, when rather we should be seeking a different kingdom made not with human hands, but whose artificer and constructor are God’s (see Hebrews 11:10).
So? What does this have to do with PTSD or other struggles exactly? Well, it’s like this - if we focus more on the present, the struggle, the difficulties - then we are in danger of remaining in those patterns of critical and desperate thinking. I have become stuck in those thoughts. Trust me, I know what it is like to spiral into dark places. The Psalmist says his tears have been his food day and night (see in part Psalm 42:3), The Psalmist goes on,
“Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
For the help of His countenance.”
Did you know that the Word of God is full of people who struggled with depression, perhaps even PTSD, or Moral Injury? Some stayed stuck in those injurious patterns of deceit, others looked beyond what they could see with physical eyes and trusted in God for their only source of hope.
Is there a place for clinical interventions? Absolutely! I believe that the Lord used medical intercessions for a purpose, and I also have seen Him bring about miraculous healings without it. I myself have been healed in some instances, and yet in the struggles in my mind, I have gone through medical instrumentalities for hope. Do I still pray that the Living God will heal things in my mind? Yes indeed, yet I am still learning to bless the Healer and seek the Healer and not merely the healing.
Have you ever stayed in the pattern of being stuck in those mind-frames of depression which holds captive? I have heard people state that time heals all wounds, and yet time has no authority to heal anything - only God can bring about such change - time keeps pressing forward, not knowing our struggles, not seeing our fears and doubts or our anxious hearts. God sees and knows those thoughts and makes the offer for us to come to Him, “…all who are heavy laden, and I (Jesus) will give you rest… (Matthew 11:28-30)”
Time is a great revealer of our priorities - I say I want rest, yet I may not come to the Lord in that need. I say I need hope and healing for the silent wounds of the soul - yet I cling to them in their familiarities. What are you clinging to? What are you hoping in? The Psalmist says that he will yet again praise the LORD… God is the lifter of our heads, the lover of our souls, the One who gives and sustains life, the One who provides a living Hope through Jesus. We don’t have to expect more time here or anticipate that time will heal our sadness or broken nature - Jesus has come to do that, to give life abundantly (see John 10:10).
PTSD is a life sucker, Depression drains vitality and strength. What are you hopeful for that time will heal or restore? Give that to God. Seek first His kingdom (Matthew 6:33), Trust in the Maker of time, καιρός (KAIROS time: fitting season or opportunity).
He knows the struggles, He hears the petitions of the broken, and He is near to those who suffer.
He has not promised an easy road here. He has promised to be with you through it, and that His grace will be sufficient (see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10)- He asks only that you trust Him and seek and love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, strength (see Mark 12:30), and He will strengthen you, establish you, and perfect you (see 1 Peter 5:10). When this life is over, your pain will be no-more.
So? Question, will God ever take the depression, PTSD, intrusive thoughts and such away? Perhaps in this lifetime He will. What if He doesn’t? Will you still love Him, or can you learn to love and trust Him in the battle?
Psalm 18:1-3 says this, “I will love You, O LORD my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so, shall I be saved from my enemies.”
There is no timeframe on calling on the Lord as long as you have breath. I love this Psalm, it makes a bold claim, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.”
The enemies of fear anxiousness, PTSD, Depression - are those real enemies that you have battled for a time? A long time? Have you called on the Lord? He is worthy of your praise. If you call on Him, I can tell you - He will deliver you from your enemies - whether here in this lifetime, or as He perfects you and brings you Home, Heaven-bound in His timing.
We are not sure how much time we have, but it is a short amount regardless, if it is 80-90 years or 110 years. We do have 1,440 minutes (24-hours), and 86,400 seconds each day. Those are precious as we don’t know how many more minutes, seconds or hours we have left.
Time may be free, but it is priceless, we don’t own it, but it is ours to use, we don’t keep it, but we spend it, once we have lost it - we can’t get it back (not sure who originally said this).
God is the giver and maker of time for each of us. How will we spend it today?
Trust Him with your hurts, praise Him in the storms, and give Him the time that you have today, and tell Him how good He is.
Blessings over you,