God has shown Himself so faithful in my life. He has held me in painful times and rejoiced with me through amazing moments. Through it all, I have found the key is giving God praise. I Thessalonians 5:18 says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” Each trying in my life has been just another chance to learn and fully embrace this concept.

In college, I started an alternative spring break program. We had 5 months to raise $30,000 and find 45 people to help rebuild post-Katrina New Orleans. Twice, there came a “make it or break it” moment and both times Jesus came through right at the last second. The first time, we had to send in over $4,000 to Habitat for Humanity. I was very worried until I remembered that my college pastor and his wife were the kind of people that, despite the battles they fought, worshiped Him with a confidence that He is able. That Sunday I put my fears aside and did the same.  By the time the check had to be cut, we had the funds. I knew it was Jesus and even testified to my youth group about it. The week before we were to leave, almost $10,000 came in from an unexpected source. That time, I had not been as worried since God had already shown Himself able and faithful.

A little later, my family was misunderstood by a different pastor and his wife and driven out of a church. I wallowed in the pain of feeling rejection from the people were supposed to be the example of Christ in my life. Jesus reached His hand down and, on the very day I was moving, He used a friend in one state who had a visiting pastor from the state I was moving to for medical school, to show me clearly what church He wanted me to attend. That first Sunday, the sermon was on forgiveness. I quickly made my way to the bathroom and sobbed my heart out. There was no judgement from the ladies who went in and they showed me only His love. As time has gone on, He has given me opportunities to tell others of how He provided the exact church I needed.

When a teacher at my medical school tried to accuse me of helping others cheat, I looked at my roommate who was also a Christian and said “every time I get upset, you tell me- ‘You told me that God is going to take care of this, just rejoice.’ ” Within two hours of saying, the news came that the accusations were being dropped. It felt like a moment of redemption.  After having failed so miserably at rejoicing with the situation with the church, it felt like I had passed the same kind of test.

A little later, I found myself with a breaking heart- the man that I loved and was ready to give my life to had told me he needed a break after having told me just a month before that he had picked the ring out.  As I sobbed in my bed, I felt Him say to me, “You have two choices:

1) fear, worry and doubt

or   

2) worship Me, knowing that I have all things in My hands”

I chose worship.  I got up from my bed of mourning, raised my hands, and worshiped Him; believing that He had all things in His hands.  In the end, he officially broke up with me in the most painful way possible just days before 3 major exams. When most were studying like crazy, I studied but still prayed three times a day- sometimes up to four or five hours total. When I received news that the scores were back, I felt excitement pour through me knowing I would have proof that my trust in Him was real- and it was! I quickly called up my parents and we praised God over the phone, worshiping Him for His faithfulness.

Rebekah M.