Experiencing Birth Pangs

The last week of last month and the beginning of this month were very hectic for me. Training after training, fellowship after fellowship, and then I had to travel for the ministry of the word literature journey to different places. I had taken three ministry trips in the last three weeks to four states of India, Haryana, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh.

One thing common before each trip was an experience of “birth pangs.” As a mother-to-be experienced birth pangs before delivering a child, the joy of the child to be born overcame the pain she went through. In fact, the joy of a newborn child surpasses that of the temporary birth pang, however painful it may be. In a similar manner, I was in a very very tight schedule, overloaded with responsibility related to official work, church, and family matters. Besides, I also experience a bodily weakness which I thought would be a reasonable excuse to just cancel all the trips and take good care of my health. But as I went through the tough "birth pangs," spiritually, psychologically, and physically, the Lord has been gracing me and telling me deep within, that "everything will be alright." There was a firm promise within that the Lord will lead me through the birth pangs. True to His promise, the Lord led me through the spiritual birth pangs, and I could see the result of the ministry literature journey that followed the birth pangs.

Before the trip to a different part of Haryana, I was sick partially and had pain in my hand. I could not even lift up my hand to comb my hair and was loaded with responsibilities. But miraculously, on the day I was to leave for the trip, I found myself completely healed! Even before we could start the trip I was still busy with many official and home responsibilities. I literally did not even have time to pack my luggage until the very last hour before we actually started. It was an intense pressure within, at times, tempting me to completely call off the trip or postpone it for another time. But the Lord led me through the birth pangs, and the result was marvelous! The Lord led us to visit 14 new cities, towns, and villages for the ministry of the word!

As I was considering how to undertake the tour, one night while I was praying the Lord spoke to me to use my Salon Alto Maruti car. I generally would not take my car for a long journey. But this time, through the Lord’s speaking I was confirmed to use the car. 

Before Jalandhar trip, my schedule became so tight and my body was feeling a little weak. I decided that if possible I would cancel the trip. But since I already gave my word to a brother who is to get married in Jalandhar and that he had invited me to attend the wedding, I would not disappoint him and take back my words. Though I had to travel to another state right after this visit to Jalandhar, I still decided by faith to keep my word and despite many other responsibilities amidst physical weaknesses, I trusted the Lord and He led me through. Therefore, I could attend his wedding and also meet with some seeking believers who received much supply through the ministry of the word.

Before the trip to Jharkhand too, I had to discharge my responsibility as a family man to buy all the household needs and also settle urgent official matters at hand. Besides, the train ticket I booked was only on WL(Waiting List). I left the matter to the Lord that in case my ticket was not confirmed then I might as well have a good excuse to cancel this trip.  The Lord graced me to finish all the work at hand and my train ticket was also confirmed at the last hour. Therefore, the trip was very fruitful as we could visit four cities in two states.

All these experiences of "birth pangs” were painful when I went through it, but as I trusted in the Lord, He graced me and I could witness the wonderful work the Lord has accomplished after the birth pangs. 

Praise be to Him! All glory to Him!