Evolution Sparked Part II
For confidentiality purposes and to prevent the need for a part 3 š, Iām going to spare most of the details that took place over the following two weeks and focus instead on how God worked all this together for my good (Romans 8:28). To make a very long story short, the findings of an investigation outside of that conducted by my insurance company led to a claim being submitted on my behalf, resulting in a settlement offer far exceeding that which I would have received from my insurance company for the loss of my vehicle and personal belongings. Yāall, God is so dope, and today I have a brand new, debt-free car!
While I was blessed with a new vehicle, thatās not the highlight of this story. The most beautiful part about this journey is that I was introduced to new dimensions of who God is and my faith evolved in a way that could only happen through this fiery trial (as this IG post by @jerryflowers.jr so eloquently puts it). So let me tell you more about the God I met during this time and how familiar scriptures became fresh and alive for me.
God, my Shield and Protector. When I think back to the moments leading up to my car catching on fire, Iām so grateful that I was attentive to what was going on with my car and obedient to the Holy Spiritās leading. If I would have continued driving and not pulled over when I did, I could have been severely injured or worse, not here to share this story with you. I tear up as I write this, because I canāt help but be thankful to God for protecting me from harm and sparing me that day. So while I was first introduced to Psalm 91 as a child, today it has new meaning to me; and I truly believe and know God to be my Shield and Protector.
The fact that I came out out of this situation āuntouchedā has also changed my outlook on life, particularly my purpose in this world. After sharing this incident with one of my Woman Evolve sisters, she said, āā¦God spared you. You still have work to doā¦impact to makeā¦so much more to become here on earth.ā So I vow to live each day that Iām blessed to experience purposefully and intentionally.
God, my Peace Giver. I mentioned in Part 1 that I experienced the peace of God while on the scene of the incident, but that wasnāt the only time I needed His peace. The process of replacing my car and everything that I had loss in the fire, coupled with the emotional side effects of this incident, really took toll on me. And while I have an amazing community of people who love and care for me here in Michigan, the physical absence of family also affected me.
So as you can imagine, my thoughts and feelings were scattered, and I experienced few sleepless nights worrying about how everything was going to work out. But I can remember so clearly, the day I fully surrendered the situation to God and trusted Him to work things out on my behalf, I experienced a new dimension of peace (Philippians 4:6-7). And not only did I experience His peace in a new way, but it was at that point that God stepped in with a plot twist and things began to work together for my good by no doing of my own.
Side bar: If youāre currently facing a difficult situation and trying to control and figure it out on your own, I encourage you to surrender it to God and ask for His help. He is there and wants to help, but He can step in and be God until you surrender and get out of the way.
God, my Ever-present Help. Earlier I alluded to my desire to have family physically present to support me through this trial, but not once did I feel alone in this experience. From the time of the incident and over the following weeks, God used strangers, co-workers, and friends to support me. (And shoutout to my amazing mom who supported me from thousands of miles away <3). He even placed me on the hearts of people who I hadnāt spoken to in a while as they reached out to me via text or call (not even knowing what had happened) to share words of encouragement and to let me know that they were simply thinking of me. And oh my goodness, donāt get me started on how timely some of my devotionals were and the other mediums God used to guide and encourage me during that time.
All of which were traces of His love and presence and a reminder to me that He was near and walking this thing out with me. So the next time I face trouble, I can rest in the truth of these scriptures: 1) āGod is [my] refuge and strength, an ever-present helpā (Psalm 46:1) and 2) āā¦[God] will never leave [me] of forsake [me]ā (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God, my Way Maker and Provider. Lastly, God made a way and provided in a way that I never saw possible. One of the main things I was worried about was having to come out of pocket for a vehicle as my insurance company was only going to be able to give me current market value for my car ā which was 5 years old at the time. This was particularly frustrating because the incident was no fault of my own, and I wasnāt in the market for a car. On top of that, my car was paid off, and I didnāt want any setbacks to the date that I have set to become debt free. But Iām not even sure why I was worried about that, because when I look back over my life none of my needs have gone unmet and even when things didnāt seem possible, God made ways out of no way. So today I stand firm on Philippians 4:19 ā which states, āAnd my God will meet all of [my] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.ā
The devil tried to use this experience to destroy my faith and distract me. You know why? Because he knows that if he can accomplish those things, he can prevent me from fully realizing and walking in the purpose God has for my life. Little did he know that God was going to throw in a plot twist and not only upgrade my ride, but upgrade my faith. As a result of this trial, my faith has evolved to new dimensions, and I now have this experience to look back on and recount the faithfulness and goodness of God in my daily life and when future trials come to test my faith. I will also be able to witness more boldly to others whose faith may be growing weary and may need God to show up as their Shield/Protector, Peace Giver, Ever-present Help, or Way Maker/Provider.
If youāre reading this and currently experiencing conflict/hardship in your life, check out this 1-minute clip. It will change your perspective about conflict and put things in context for you, just as it did for me. I also want you to be encouraged and know that God is with you and will see you through š
Be encouraged,
Immane
P.S. Thank you to every person reading this that supported me, checked on me, or prayed for me during this time. Your presence and act(s) of service mean more than youāll ever know <3