When things are going well in our lives, it’s easy for us to believe that God is working for our good. That is, it’s easy for us to believe that when we think about it. Sadly, we probably don’t think about God nearly enough when life is working.
But when we hit a pothole in the road of our lives, we turn to God. In fact, we may shake our fists at Him. We wonder where He is and why He’s not helping us or someone we love.
But here’s the thing: part of the faith journey is believing God is working for our good, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts. God wants us to trust Him, just like you and I want our spouse or best friend to trust us.
I know it’s easier for me to say this than it is to do it. But God will help us with this, too. I’ve been going through more challenges in my life than normal lately. Most of the time, I’d say I’ve been doing a good job of trusting God through these trials. But I also have to admit that there are times that I allow fear or anxiety to creep into my mind. This is one of the most effective tools that our enemy uses to try to disrupt our relationship with God. Borrowing what Satan said to Adam and Eve in Eden:
Did God really say you could trust Him in this situation?
Well, yes, He did. He promised we can trust Him in all situations. Just picture Jesus talking directly to you while standing on a mountainside. It’s a warm day, but there’s a nice breeze. You’re fidgety and restless because of the problems you’re dealing with, but His voice is calm and His pace is unhurried. He looks you in the eye and tells you:
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Jesus, in Matthew 6:25-33 (NIV)
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
So, when I catch myself letting go of God’s hand and allowing fear or anxiety to enter into my thoughts, I ask God to help me return to trusting Him. Even though this doesn’t fix the problem I’m wrestling with, it fixes me. I regain my grasp of God’s hand, reassured that He is in control. I am comforted knowing that He is already working on a solution for me.
And sometimes, maybe that’s the point.
Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 