Well, I'm here to tell you, it's really not that easy. When you are on the mountain top and life is good and you are flying high, you have to be very careful to keep your eyes up. If you don't, entitlement slowly creeps in, and when those tough times come, and things are taken away and the waters get really choppy, you will utter those words you swore you never would "Why me, Lord? Why me?"
Confusion will quickly turn to discontent which will ultimately turn to bitterness. "What did I do to deserve this? Why am I going through such a hard time? This isn't fair. God is supposed to be there and provide for me, where is He now?" Sound familiar?
I am ashamed to admit, those were my feelings a very short time ago.
I had sunk very deeply into a pit of self-pity and whining and very discontent in where my life is and our circumstances. Has our life changed so drastically to bring about this change in me from discontent to content, from disappointment to joy?
Nope, only my heart has changed.
God never promised an easy life. He has been very upfront about that too.
"Take up your cross and follow me", that doesn't shout "Follow me and your life will be so easy and you will want for nothing and everyone you meet will be your best friend and you will float though life on sunshine and butterflies!"
No, it whispers "Follow me. You will have burdens to bear, but I promise they will be light, not more that you can handle. And I will hold your hand, carry you when you need me to and catch you when you stumble. Follow me."
As Christians, I don't think we can help but ask, "Why? Why should we go through hardship and struggle? Shouldn't God love us enough to provide our every want and desire and be happy?"
I think the answer lies in our purpose in this life.
To be a light.
How else can we shine? If we can go through the struggles that every one else does, and yet still be content and have joy rather than bitterness and despair, then we are shining!
I want to shine!
Yes, we are struggling right now. Finances are beyond tight, but guess what? We still own a house. Hanging on by a thread, but we are hanging on. We put food on the table 3 times a day plus a thousand snacks. Our children are happy and HEALTHY. We have so very much to be thankful for.
Our cross could be heavier.
This is hard, but not impossible.
Job had EVERYTHING! But in an instant it was taken away. And yet, he had the spiritual fortitude to never blame God. God did NOT take everything away. Satan did.
We have to remember that we can be used as tools against God. To mock him. Just by sinking into that pit of despair when life get rough.
But guess what? Yes, Job went through an impossible horrible time in his life, and I'm sure he did not see the light at the end of the tunnel. He couldn't see the way out. He just had faith that God was still in control. And eventually, his life became golden again.
Well, I refuse to be used as a weapon against my God anymore!
We are in the middle of a storm right now, but I'm praising Him for everything we still have and I'm praising Him for providing for us, what we need exactly when we need it.
I am standing up, brushing myself off, and pressing on.
Who's with me?
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