ondemand

Strength in Surrender

Finding God in Life’s Chaos with Michael Cochren

Michael Cochren of Cochren & Co. shared a deeply personal experience with us about the connection he felt with God during a particularly chaotic period of his life.

We asked Michael to tell us about a time when he felt super connected to God. Surprisingly he replied, “The week leading up to my wedding; there were so many changes that year.” 2015 was a whirlwind year for Michael and his then-fiancée. They were both graduating from college, buying a house, and preparing for their wedding. Michael was also being ordained as a minister, and his fiancée was starting a new job as a teacher.

These simultaneous major life changes created an environment of immense pressure and stress. The demands of graduation, house buying, and wedding planning are significant on their own, but when combined, they can be overwhelming. Michael’s fiancée was also moving away from her family for the first time, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the situation.

Faith can provide peace and strength during life’s most challenging moments.

The Chaos Before the Wedding

As if these major life changes weren’t enough, they were also navigating the complexities of family dynamics. “And it was chaos. Chaos. And compile upon that, the usual, you know, sometimes dysfunctional but mostly wonderful family dynamics, you know, that we all have,” Michael explained.

Cochren and Co

Michael elaborated on how these family dynamics intensified as the wedding day approached. “Especially around wedding time. Yeah. And changes in life  all that. So just all that compiled together. There’s a lot of tearful nights for my then-fiancé and me,” he said. The combination of logistical challenges and emotional strain took a toll on both of them.

A Time of Dependence and Prayer

In the midst of this turmoil, Michael found himself more dependent on God than ever before. He described how he would often leave his office at the church and retreat to a prayer room, seeking solitude and comfort in prayer. “I found myself at a place of dependence, probably more than I had been, at least for a long time,” (03:11:57 – 03:12:32) he recalled.

Michael shared the depth of his prayer practices during this period. “I was literally praying on my face a lot,” he said. “No one knew I was in there, and I shut the lights off, and then I just lay on the floor on my face with my arms out, literally, like maybe this posture would help me feel closer to God. There’s no magic in that, but I just, I laid down and I just was like, ‘God, please, I just need you.’”

Cochren and Co

Experiencing God’s Presence

During these moments of prayer, Michael experienced a deeply profound sense of God’s presence.

“I really felt like Christ was with me in the room. I really did. I felt like if I had opened my eyes, that I would have seen Him,” Michael shared.

This powerful experience brought him immense comfort and reassurance during an otherwise overwhelming time.

Michael’s description of this encounter moved him while retelling it. “I’m getting emotional thinking about it because that was comforting,” he said, reflecting on how this tangible sense of God’s presence provided him with the strength he needed to navigate the challenges he was facing. “I think back to that a lot. I think back to just the, the sweetness of that season.” Michael acknowledges that while it was a difficult period, it was also marked by a deepened faith and reliance on God (03:13:21 – 03:13:49).

“We’ve walked in and walked through difficult seasons since then,” he said, highlighting how this experience of God’s presence has sustained him through subsequent challenges. “I realize, those are the times—when you experience a closer fellowship—it always seems to be when you’re going through difficult seasons.”

Cochren and Co

Lessons Learned from Difficult Seasons

Michael’ believes that the challenges we face can actually draw us nearer to God, as they make us more aware of our own limitations and the need for divine intervention. “I think we see our weakness more clearly. We see the fragileness of our abilities. And because there’s nothing that I could do to help my wife with her struggles, and those years when there was nothing I could do with my own stuff. There’s nothing I could do to fix any of the family elements going on,” he explained.

His realization of his own limitations led Michael to a deeper sense of dependence on God. “It was like, how are we going to make it through this week? How is this going to happen? Are we going to even be able to get married? I mean, that’s  larger- than-life problems to us,” he said.

And in these moments, he found God to be kind enough to step in and provide the support he needed.

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Michael and his fiancée did get married. Their wedding marked the culmination of a period filled with stress, uncertainty, and significant spiritual growth. Michael looks back on this time with a sense of gratitude for how it strengthened their relationship and deepened their faith.

Cochren and Co

Encouragement for Others

For anyone going through similar struggles, Michael offers a message of hope and encouragement. He emphasizes the importance of prayer and seeking God’s presence, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. His experience is a powerful reminder that God is always with us, especially in our moments of greatest need.

He encourages others to lean into their faith during challenging times, finding strength and comfort in the presence of God.

Today, may you find strength and comfort in the presence of God as you reflect on your own faith journey. Consider how you can draw nearer to God and find strength in His unwavering presence, no matter what life throws your way.

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