When you Experience “Gethsemane Moments” with God

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” –Matthew 26: 36-38

Jesus experienced one of the most heart-breaking moments in His life while He was in Gethsemane. There, He expressed His pain to our Heavenly Father. This happened before His crucifixion. He knew that the sacrifice He would carry for God’s people was not going to be easy. That’s why He can’t help but feel sorrowful and troubled. It was too overwhelming for Him that He feels like He is at the point of death.

Just like Jesus, we also go through “Gethsemane moments” in life wherein we feel so overwhelmed with so much pain inside. It’s the moment when we just can’t contain the sorrow in our hearts. It’s the season of brokenness, and it seems like you are surrounded by challenges and problems. In these moments, we need to remember what Jesus did that helped Him overcome the forces of the enemy.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” – Matthew 26:39

The Son of God chose to humble Himself and grew closer to His Father. Instead of questioning God’s will, Jesus prayed and expressed what He felt. He shared to Him the desires of His heart which is to take the cup of suffering away from Him. And even if He felt so troubled, still He acknowledged the ways of His loving Father. With a sorrowful heart, Jesus chose to abide in God.

May we also do the same thing – in moments when we go through suffering and pain, let’s treat God as the source of our strengths. Let’s submit our emotions to Him, and let’s share what we truly feel. And even if we don’t know what will happen next, we must always acknowledge God’s will above our own desires. We may not always understand His ways but let’s keep our faith in Him. Let’s continue to press on and allow God to take over.

When He takes over, it doesn’t mean that He will change your situation. If you will recall what happened to Jesus, God the Father didn’t saved Him from pain. And He did it for a purpose. He made that decision so that you and I would be saved. So if God won’t take away the pain in your heart and if He didn’t change your environment, then it means that He has better plans in mind. He moves according to His purpose so trust in Him. Know that after the pain will be victories and breakthroughs.

Jesus chose to follow God. May we also have the courage to do what He did. May we learn to obey Him and allow His purpose to prevail. Life will let you experience so many “Gethsemane Moments.” Sometimes you will feel so hopeless and devastated. But do not forget what Jesus did. He surrendered to God and allowed Him to take over. If you experience brokenness right now, then this is the chance for you to apply the power of prayer. Jesus didn’t blame God. Instead, He chose to kneel and talk to Him. Come to your loving Father and keep praying. Trust in His ways, and surrender to His will.