Do you ever feel like life has knocked you backwards?
Pushed you down?
Don’t get me wrong; life is a precious gift, filled with blissful experiences and awesome moments and memories!
But sometimes, life is hard. It can slap you around. Unfortunate events sometimes happen sequentially.
You lose your job the same day that your boyfriend breaks up with you; then you find out a loved one has passed away; then your car transmission dies, and you don’t have the money to replace it. You get diagnosed with a serious illness, etc.
Sometimes all the areas of your life are in crisis at the same time! I’m sure you can relate in some way or another.
A series of painful events like these can leave you in a valley, and you may feel like God is punishing you. You may ask “ Why me, God? What did I do to deserve all of this?” And you might get mad at God because you don’t understand why He’s causing you so much PAIN.
After a series of unfortunate events last year, I was mad at God for a period of time. I didn’t want to go to church, or read Bible verses, or hear anything related to how God loves me.
But after a while (and with the help of a precious friend), the Holy Spirit softened my heart and helped me realize that God is and always will be God.
During my phase of bitterness, I realized I could either turn back to God, or stay mad and live without Him. And I knew that in the long run living without Him was not an option.
You see, getting mad and turning away from God when things aren’t going as planned can be the equivalent of a toddler throwing a temper tantrum with a parent. The toddler, unable to understand a parent’s higher level of protection and reasoning, may temporarily cry, scream, and kick when a parent shifts the toddler’s plans.
Just as a three year old does not understand the ways of a protective father, we do not understand the ways of God, our Father, who is always protecting us and who loves us!
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8)
Do you know of any parent, who, in their right mind, would try to hurt their own child? No.
Why is our God any different? He does not want to hurt us! He is our Beloved Father! Yes, sometimes His lessons are painful. But His lessons are ultimately for our growth so that we may draw closer to Him and strengthen our relationship with Him.
During your challenging times, are you seeking God’s lesson? Or are you too busy licking your wounds to even look up?
The next time life hits you with a flurry of storms, I challenge you to stand steadfast, remain faithful, and find your peace in the storm.
If you have a friend or family member who is currently mad at God for whatever reason, be the person to remind them that God loves them unconditionally and has not forgotten them.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
- A Monday Morning Prayer - June 29, 2015
- Dear God, Why Me? - June 9, 2015
- Only God Can Fill The Emptiness in Your Heart - May 29, 2015
