Without
warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the
boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying,
"Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of
little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the
waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, "What
kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" Matthew
8:24-27
Maybe
this has never happened to you but for some the story is all too familiar. They were working at their job and seeing
great results. It seemed that all was
heading towards a successful career and they were making long-term plans to
enlarge their lives with a new house and other amenities to make their family
more comfortable. And then, out of nowhere
the company sold to new owners and closed down the area where they worked. Pink slips were handed out and they found
themselves seeking a new start in another company. What did they do wrong? Nothing. But our lives are intertwined with other forces
and people we can’t control.
Sometimes
in life things seem to be going pretty well.
Everything is just humming along and then, out of nowhere, a big
surprise comes. Perhaps a close friend or a family member is suddenly killed. Perhaps, after years of service your job is
downsized and you lose your job. Perhaps
your wife or girlfriend just decides that she's ‘ready for a change' and leaves
you suddenly. No matter what your situation
may be, sooner or later major life changes come. These sorts of things happen to good people
every single day. What's worse, many
time those changes come suddenly and without warning… causing us to do some
real soul searching. The question becomes,
how are we to react when terrible change hits us?
Many
people instinctively blame God for their troubles. After all, if God is truly in control then
why would He let such a difficult thing happen to us? Some become bitter, cynical, or depressed. I urge you not to let this happen to you when
tough times come, but pray that God will teach you through these difficult
times. God sometimes allows tough
situations to happen to us not because He is trying to make our lives
difficult, but simply because He knows that this world is only a temporary
assignment for us. He does not want us
to love the world too much, because our ultimate destination is a place far
better.
Further,
God desires for us to have character, rather than comfort in our
lives. Sometimes difficult things happen
in order to develop us into the person He wants us to be and prepare us for a
greater challenge or opportunity in the future. God could have kept Daniel out
of the Lions' Den. He could have left
David as a simple Shepherd, but instead he called him to fight a giant. God has a plan and a purpose for your life,
and sometimes discomfort comes so that He can accomplish His plans through
us. Sometimes tough times come just so
He can demonstrate His power in our lives.
So
don't be surprised that God sometimes calls us into uncharted waters. Change is
scary. Change is inevitable. But quite often God fulfills his plans for us as
we place our trusting in the Lord even through difficult times. Remember today
that His plans are good He will always be with you even through the most
difficult of circumstances.
Scripture to
Claim
"I have told you these things, so that in
me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I
have overcome the world." John 16:33
