God, why would you let this happen?
Have you said those words in your life?
Me too. But, right afterward, I blamed myself.
I did this. God didn’t. But He can change it.
The core verses I always refer to are about trusting God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV
How can we trust God when He has the power to change everything … and He doesn’t?
When life-changing things occur in our lives, our faith is shaken to its core.
If you’ve faced a terrible situation, you never thought or hoped it would happen to you. It’s almost worse if you have a strong faith because it’s just so easy to blame God.
He has control, so why didn’t He intervene?
Now, some events are especially heartbreaking. Those ones you read about and say, Oh my gosh, I don’t know what I would do if that happened. That’s horrible!
If you’ve experienced one of those, you know what it’s like to travel down a hole of despair and not see daylight for weeks, maybe months. A pit in your stomach filled with guilt and anger, with no cure except occasional blame. Yourself, God, the mailman for waking you up by knocking on your door … it doesn’t matter.
You blame the world.
And you hate it.
And you’re afraid of it.
On the contrary, when a great event happens, we do this weird thing to ourselves, trying not to get too happy about it.
Imposter syndrome.
Have you heard the term?
Yep, you feel like you’re a stand-in or a fake.
It shouldn’t be you getting the blessings, and it’s just a matter of time before it all falls apart.
Conversely, when good things happen, you may dodge imposter syndrome by being grateful.
Gratitude is great, but sometimes when everything has worked out, you stop doing what you did leading up to them working out.
For example, you prayed every morning and built a relationship with God while going through something challenging. All that praying helped you talk to Him and listen to His direction.
When He works in your life, and you experience an answered prayer, you stop talking. It’s so easy to get lost in the good stuff, too, because we want to savor it. But we often forget about God.
Do you see how you are tested in both good and bad situations?
Faith takes commitment, but not the way YOU think.
It takes submission to God.
Trust what God tells you, but also His control in your life. Even when you think He isn’t listening.
Your commitment doesn’t mean doing everything you can to make changes yourself.
It means doing everything you can to surrender to God.
You don’t have the strength to handle some things. That’s why He is your Rock.
There’s a verse I want to share with you and look at differently.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Think about that word temptation.
Immediately you think of being curious to do something bad, right?
Well, let’s face it, we make mistakes and want bad things sometimes as human beings.
But temptation means pulling you away from God. Usually, it’s associated with seeking the world instead of Him.
When we turn to ourselves for answers, isn’t that pulling away from God, too?
No matter how torn apart you feel, God is always there for you.
In your weakest moment, His strength can overcome.
Don’t be tempted to run from Him because you’re hurt or mad at Him. Run towards Him with it.
He is faithful and will NOT let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
He knows you’re hurting, and He hears your cry.
God says He will make a way of escape so you can handle it.
When your faith is tested, He is faithful toward you. He will give you what you need to handle whatever is happening in your life.
Whether it’s a great blessing or pure anguish, He equips you.
So how do we trust God with the hard stuff that happens?
Submit in faith to Him.
He knows what you need. He’s the only One who truly understands your heart.
Don’t stop spending time with Him. Just pray to accept His will for your life.
That’s exactly what Jesus did. Jesus’ relationship with God, His Father, is an example for us.
God’s grace is sufficient
Right now I am in a lonesome place….I know that I have brothers and sisters praying for me but it seems as the more I try to pray, nothing happens.
My work environment is where I find myself having anxiety about going to…I am good all weekend but as Monday to Friday is a hassle. I have been praying for the right attitude to go through this season but it has not been easy. I know God is working it out for his Glory and Honor but right now it’s rough.
Felicia,
I’m sorry you are struggling with anxiety about work. It can get difficult and feel like it overtakes you. It sounds like you have your own prayer army, which is such a blessing! I’m praying for you too.
Thank you for your encouragement. Sometimes I find my faith wavering and I start blaming myself maybe I am a sinner God has not forgiven me that is why He is not healing me from this illness I have had for 23 years now. Now I know and believe that God will heal me on his own time. Amen
My wife and I have been Christians for many years and there have been bumps along the road! She has been through 5 strokes with one requiring surgery, that was about 12 years ago. God helped us through those and we continued with an almost normal life because He is faithful! Now in our late 60s she has been diagnosed with dementia and I find myself asking God why us; But He is faithful and will see us through this and one day in heaven she will remember me again!!! Thank God for His many blessing on us for many years! We have 4 children and 13 grandchildren and other than a son-in-law who passed with cancer and ALS they are all healthy! Most of them are Christians also: Praise God! Thank you for this blessing of comments in the news letter! May God bless and keep you! Stay strong in the faith our Sister!
Tony,
Thank you for sharing your story. What a wonderful expression of faith you and your wife have! As a nurse, I understand the effects of all the health issues you two have battled. It requires a different kind of strength, mind and body, when going through it. You inspire me by putting your faith in God and relying on Him for your strength. It sounds like you are extremely blessed with a wonderful family. God bless you!
Julitha,
Thank you for sharing that. It’s not easy to open up and say if your faith is wavering. I’ve felt that way many times in my life, too. It’s especially difficult when dealing with hardship. But you have great faith in saying that God will heal on His time. Praying for you for peace and healing.
Thank you for your encouragement. Iam going through a dark financial nose dive. But I believe God will see me through, I believe soon I will be sending you my testimony.
I’m so sorry you’re going through a difficult time. I’m praying that you will have relief soon. God bless you!
Thank you for your email Kelly . I appreciate it so much. Going through tough times can sometimes drain your faith, but as what you said from the verse 1 Cor. 10:13, that in our vulnerable state God’s power overcomes it. We just have to lay our trust in Him even if we are seeing it differently or looking at it with no hope.
God knows what is best for us. We might not see it in His way, but praying and putting our faith in Him will make it more easier for us to bear regardless of how heavy the loads that we carry. Jesus had overcome the world. And that we should. We too can do it, by the Holy Spirit Who will empower us in the times of our weakest point. Trust is important and placing our trust in Him will surely give us a best result in what we are dealing and praying for. Let His will be done.
Debra,
Thanks so much for sharing that wonderful testimony! Praise God!
Im finding it hard right now. Im trying to submit all my wants needs as a woman. My need to be loved, touched, cherished has not come my way. Im trying hard to accept singleness. Ive made many mistakes. Failed marriage where I was selfish. I keep thinking I am being punished for sinning in my marriage.
I’m sorry, Robin. It’s hard to find contentment sometimes, but I assure you God is merciful. Praying for you!
I am in a state of confusion right now because all seems dark..there is so much stagnation in my life..i have believed God for the longest time for a change but it gets worse instead of better…but still i trust Him inspite of all these troubles..when trusting Him makes sense..yah thats me now