Second Opinion by Arvin Ferdinand M. Cabalu
THE Bible teaches that God makes ways, even in impossible circumstances, by providing guidance, opening doors, and guiding believers through challenges. Key scriptures like Isaiah 43:19, Psalm 37:23 and Philippians 4:13 highlight that God provides paths through the wilderness, orders steps, and enable believers to overcome obstacles through His strength.
This is true as I myself have experienced his ways twice already.
First, after smoking and drinking liquor for almost 40 years, he poked me as if reminding me that my vices must halt for my betterment—you see, smoking and drinking alcohol, destroys the body, destroys relationships and destroys your being.
I was hospitalized for two weeks in May 2024 because of Pancreatitis and Gall Bladder Stones that led to my Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP) procedure and Cholecystectomy at two different hospitals (TMC and CLDH). I also suffered from Diverticulitis a few months after my operation leading to another thorough medical treatment.
All the medical sufferings that I experienced resulted to a better life for me. I quit smoking and liquor drinking immediately after my hospital days… and that was all God wanted me to do… He wanted me to listen to Him, to listen to His words, to listen to His teachings.
As I started to learn God’s teachings, I faced a complex problem involving my children. This was the second time that God showed me His way. After my dearest aunt Lilia Manese passed away this April, God opened a window of opportunity — not only for me but for my children as well.
After years of misunderstanding, heartache and legal battles, we met again and talked…setting aside our differences, setting aside our pride, setting aside our animosity. I never thought that our reunion will be as peaceful as it did.
My aunt never spoke to us, my aunt never lifted a finger to try to mend our differences, instead, she was used by God to relay His message — that we are still a family that needs to be supportive of one another whatever the circumstances are.
Indeed, God finds ways to guide and provide, often through unexpected means, challenging circumstances, and personal surrender to His will. He creates paths in the wilderness, makes a way through obstacles, and works all things together for good. Trust in divine timing, even when facing setbacks, allows for finding “a way out” or new opportunities.
Our Almighty delivers this through challenges as He often uses difficult situations such as closed doors, personal struggles to steer individuals towards a better and more abundant path. Through surrendering as God lets you surrender as letting go of the need for control and trusting God allows you to see His path, even in confusing and difficult times.
Through faith and action is a way of trusting that God is working even when no path is visible, helps in finding the way forward, through scriptures as the word of God provides guidance and instruction on what path to take and through His word as God often reveals His direction through the promises and teachings found in the Bible.
I would not like to sound as if I know everything…or suddenly, I am a preacher of God’s words. I would just like to share that if you pray sincerely, surrender your will and reflect on His promises, you will discover God’s ways.
