What is your response when your life takes a turn for the worse, when all seems right in your world and everything is flowing smoothly, but suddenly takes a nose-dive? An unexpected situation arises that throws you into a tail-spin, perhaps a job loss, financial set-back, family conflict, an unfavorable health diagnosis, or worse.....the death of a loved one. How do you react? How does it change your perception of God, especially if you are a Christian and feel you have been living a good life? Do you question, "Why would God let this happen?" "Why would he do this to me?"
That is a common response for many and understandable when faced with situations such as mentioned above. None of us are ever really prepared when our lives are being turned upside down and we don't see a way out. It's scary! Our emotions are all over the place and we feel overwhelmed, confused and unable to process the ramifications of our present circumstances.
We've all been there from time to time. It comes with being human. Life is not always good or fair. Our lives are filled with ups and downs, joy and sorrow. We can be standing on the mountaintop one day admiring the view and be hurled into the valley the next. Is there a lesson to be be learned perhaps, or are we being prepared for a new direction or season in our life? Is this part of the process of getting us out of our comfort zone and bringing us to an awakening we would not have discovered but for the present trial we find ourselves in?
If you are a Christian, you should find comfort in the promise given in Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." I know....sometimes it's hard to hang on to that when faced with the unthinkable. God knows that too and, I'm sure, doesn't hold it against us. He understands our human nature. That's why he sent Jesus to this earth to clothe himself with humanity, whereby he could experience the fullness of our earthly sojourn. Hebrews 4:15 tells us "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.". Yes, Jesus sits at the right hand of God, the Father in heaven, making intercession for us as our High Priest.
When we find ourselves drowning in troubled waters, God should be the one we turn to, not away from. Many are quick to praise him in the good times, but curse him in the bad. He is often the one who is blamed for our misfortunes and it's easy to fall into the trap of turning from faith and prayer to unbelief and rejection. May that not be your attitude!
God is not to be compared with a genie in a bottle or Aladin's lamp, whereby he grants our every wish and desire at the drop of a prayer. In Isaiah 55:9 He tell us "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." He is our creator, not the other way around. We have no right to judge His sovereignty. He is the potter, we are the clay. As He works in our lives, it is always for our good. We have limited vision, whereas His is eternal. He sees the big picture, that which we cannot fully fathom in our present state. As the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known".
Trials and tribulations are part of this present age. They are never pleasant, but I believe necessary, for our overall growth in preparation for the coming Kingdom of God. They are part of our training and serve a purpose that we may not understand now, but will one day see with renewed clarity and be thankful for. Romans 5:3 tells us that we should glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works patience and Romans 12:12 says we are to rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.
Another important aspect of tribulation is given in 2 Corinthians 1:4, which is the capacity to comfort others who are in trouble. Have you ever gone through some horrible situation and had well-meaning friends tell you, "I know how you feel"? Do they really? Oftentimes not. Unless they have experienced what you are facing, they can't really know what it is like. However, a person who has faced what you are currently facing can truly empathize with you and often be a source of strength and encouragement. You don't feel you have to go it alone. Someone understands. That is powerful!
The important thing I want you to remember is not to blame God or turn away from him. He is the one you most need to turn to when troubles assail. He loves you so very much and always wants what is best for you. Trust His providence. Trust that He knows what He is doing. When He allows trials and tribulations in your life, know that it has a future blessing attached to it. You may not understand now, but if you keep the faith, it will become clear as time goes by and you will be thankful that you remained committed to Him.
If there is ever a break in your relationship with God, it can only be on your part, not His. He will never leave you or forsake you. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:38-39 "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
