A Raw Deal

When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory.  Psalm 73:21-24

School has only been back in session for one week and already this morning my child did not want to go.  Of course, I was very frustrated.  My immediate thoughts were, Not again! and I am not going to go through this every morning for the rest of the school year!  Then I was reminded of myself because lately I have been saying the same things to God that I heard from my child: I don’t want to and It’s not fair. 

One of the hardest lessons to learn in life is that sometimes we just have to do what we don’t want to do.  Life is full of responsibilities and demands that cannot be ignored.  Some of them are mundane and monotonous but they are still a necessary part of life.  Some are painless because they are done out of love – like caring for our family.  Sometimes we may find ourselves in a bigger assignment – a divine appointment – that we don’t really like.  Can we carry out the mission He has for us and can we receive God’s intended blessing with such an attitude?

The truth about life is that sometimes we do find ourselves in difficult situations and we just have to deal with them.  They may be short-lived, or they may be long-term.  It is important for us as God’s children to understand that He is in control and has a purpose for this trial.  We all experience doubts and confusion.  Sometimes it is so hard to understand why we have to endure certain experiences in life and why God won’t just change everything.  It is easy to want to quit without considering the consequences on yourself and even on those around you.  If we can see life through an eternal perspective and get the big picture, we can see what is really important.  

God’s presence in our lives is the one true source of security in our lives.  We need to make the decision to obey God in every circumstance before we get in the middle of a difficult time when emotions are flowing fast and free.  We need to be resolved to trust and obey God in both the good and bad times.  God’s way takes us not only to His appointed end but blesses us along the way.  Yes, there may be times it will be painful for ourselves and others around us or we may even look foolish to people who won’t understand our actions but God will use all for His glory and our benefit.   

Maybe you are afraid of discovering God’s will for your life because you are afraid He is going to call you to something you don’t want to do or something you feel you aren’t good at or because you may have to give up hopes and dreams to follow His lead.  But remember that when God calls us to do something, He will always supply the ability we need to accomplish the mission.  When we go outside of His will and try to do things in our own strength, we will fail miserably. 

We often agree to do what God is leading us to do as long as it is easy and pain free.  But when things get uncomfortable we don’t want to do it.  It is much like the rebellious child stomping their foot and crossing their arms with a frown on their face while doing what momma has told them to do.  God understands our feelings, but that doesn’t mean He gives us a pass.  We can ask why but we may not ever understand God’s purpose in what we are called to endure.  God does value the difficult times in our lives and He uses them to turn bad things to good purpose.  He uses our trials to accomplish His purposes.  It is hard and painful and may seem so pointless at the time but eventually we will reap blessings.  

During difficult times, we can gain intimacy in our relationship with Christ and be conformed to His image.  Our true convictions come forth when everything else is stripped away.  We can return to right fellowship with God and focus our attention on Him. 

Scripture to Claim:
Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:25-27