I was reading the story about when Jesus was in Gethsemane in Matthew 26:36-44. Jesus went to pray and asked his disciples to sit close by. The scripture says that during this time He was in great distress of mind and deeply depressed. He turns to His disciples and tells them that His soul is deeply grieved almost to the point of dying of sorrow and asks them to stay awake and keep watch with Him. He goes a little further and throws Himself upon the ground on His face and prays saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will but as You will and desire.” He goes back to His disciples and finds them asleep again and says, “Could you not watch with Me for one hour?” Then He tells them this, “All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again a second time He went away and prayed, My Father, if this cannot pass by unless I drink it; Your will be done. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were weighed down with sleep. So, leaving them again, He went away and prayed for the third time, using the same words. 

Have you ever experienced a time of great distress in your life? Maybe you’re there right now. You might have even reached out to others for consolation, only to find there was none. No words or kind gestures could take away the overwhelming feelings you were experiencing. You even prayed things would change or be different just like Jesus prayed and asked God to remove the cup. I remember Art saying that in those times God doesn’t want to change the circumstances, He wants to change us in the circumstances.

Remember God is always in the business of building something more in our lives, whether it’s character, faith, obedience, submission, or trust. Just like Jesus submitted to the will of the Father even though He struggled and travailed, we too can choose to submit to the Father's will.

So no matter what is going on in your life right now or where you may be on your journey, just know that Jesus has already been there! We can only find solace in Him, and we must continue to stay true to who we are as believers.

Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP
Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.