Why?

It’s the question we’ve all asked since we were little kids. Why?

If you’re like me, it’s one you find yourself asking a lot in life. Why?

If you’re like me, it’s one you find yourself asking God sometimes, or perhaps more often, depending on the circumstances. Why?

Why is there so much hurt and pain, God? Why would You allow this to happen, God? Why doesn’t it make sense, God? Why haven’t You made it clear, God? Why isn’t something changing, God? Why?

I like to know the answer to this question. It can get pretty frustrating when the answer doesn’t seem clear. You too? Alright, glad it’s not just me!

Well, if that is you, then let me challenge you with something I heard the other day. It challenged me, in a good way.

“None of us will ever fully understand God and His ways. If we could, He would not be God and we would never need to learn to trust Him. It is not wrong to want to understand, but our understanding must be secondary to trusting the Lord.”
-Derek Prince

Time for me to start moving the trusting Him thing up to #1 on my list. Something tells me He will reveal the answers at just the right time, in just the right way.

Thanks, God…looking forward to it!

Have a great day.

God Is Who He Is

“Obedience is the key to real faith – the unshakable kind of faith so powerfully illustrated by Job’s life. Job lost his home, his family, his health. But though it appeared God had abandoned him, Job clung to the assurance that God is who He is.”
-Charles Colson

Isn’t it funny how quickly we forget that God is who He is?

• Stuck in traffic. What am I going to do? I’m running late!
• Tough day at work. How am I ever going to get this done? Why do I have to deal with this situation?
• Family issues. Why can’t this child see the right way to do things?
• Financial problems. How are we going to afford this? We’ll never get out of this hole.

Where’s God in all of these questions? We all (myself absolutely included) tend to forget that He is in control…that God is who He is.

So much stress, so much worry. 

As the author goes on to say, real faith is believing and acting obediently regardless of circumstances or contrary evidence.

A reminder to myself today, and anyone else who needs it, to keep that in mind. If we truly believe in God, incorporating that belief into our daily routine and applying it to difficulties that come up will keep us in a place of peace.

Simply remembering that God is who He is can be a real game-changer.

Have a great day.

Where Were You?

‘But I wonder, where were you? When I was at my worst, down on my knees? And you said you had my back, so I wonder where were you?’

If you listen to pop music, you know these are lyrics from the song ‘Maps’ by Maroon 5. It’s a song that has absolutely nothing to do with what I’m going to write about, but just stay with me here for a minute.

Right now, there are a lot of people hurting about a lot of things. Perhaps something fairly recent, or something that happened a long time ago.

It could have been the loss of a loved one, a job, a relationship, your health, financial well-being…anything. Whatever it might have been, the hurt is still there and along with it, frustration and even anger.

Sometimes, traumatic or significantly stressful events can lead to a loss of faith and a turn away from God. After all, where were you God? When I was at my worst, down on my knees? Why would you do something like that? If you really loved me, why did you make me sick or take that person away from me? Why me? Why don’t you listen to me? How could you let that happen?

I love God deeply…but I would be lying if I said I’ve never thought these types of things in the past. I can remember nights yelling at God, being upset about my circumstances, and wondering why it seemed like He wasn’t doing anything or why He wasn’t listening.

Let’s face it, there are times when it can feel like God’s just not there.

But He is there, and the reason for writing this post is to encourage anyone who’s experienced something difficult that is testing your faith or that has even caused you to throw your hands up with God.

Things don’t always make sense. Life is definitely not ‘fair’ as we would call it. I am not trying to minimize the pain you are experiencing, nor can I understand exactly how you’re feeling or what you’re going through.

But I can speak from personal experience in saying that, God will lift you up when you can’t lift yourself up. He will bring you out of valleys and let you stand on top of mountains. He will never, ever give up on you and He does have a good plan for your life. These aren’t just feel-good words to fill up a blog post…it’s the truth.

Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

So I’d just encourage you today to reach out to God, whether it’s been a long time or if you never have. It doesn’t mean things will magically get better right away. He’s not a genie in a bottle who just grants wishes. But God does listen to our prayers. He hears the cries of the brokenhearted. And, He will get you through whatever you’re going through.

Psalm 107:6
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

And if you never have before, you don’t have to be an ordained minister or know the ‘right words’ to pray – just talk to God. He will hear you.

If you want/need someone to pray for you, I would love to do that. Either leave a comment below or if you’d prefer to stay anonymous, just click the ‘Contact’ link at the top of my blog and email me.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this today. Have a great day and remember, God loves you!

Favor

You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit.
-Job 10:12

🙂

Thankful

Maybe it’s the unseasonably warm late winter/early spring we’re having here in the Midwest, maybe it’s something else. Whatever it is, I’ve been feeling pretty thankful for a lot of things lately.