Nobody looks forward to trouble. We don’t put our feet on the floor in the morning and say, “Can’t wait for conflict, disappointment, some kind of trouble at work today.” We want our coffee ready, we love the shower spraying hot when we turn the handle. We check the weather looking for sunshine, blue skies and hope everyone is feeling good today. We turn the key in the car’s ignition and want that baby to fire up!

But, chances are, you might face something today that you didn’t see coming. It could be a slight annoyance, or something that turns ugly. Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble”. We should not be surprised. We live in a hurting world filled with political problems, poverty, environmental challenges, and an evil adversary. There is one relentless assignment on the part of your enemy and that is to discourage or dissuade you from walking with the Lord. Give up on the goodness of God. Cave in concerning God’s blessings.

The enemy whispers, “Why did that happen to you?” He loves to question God’s goodness if you will give him the time. In our pain we are most vulnerable. He loves to get you hung up on why things happen and make it personal. When bad things happen we naturally ask, “Why did this have to happen to me?”

There are many things in this life we will never understand. If they are big enough, we make a place for them on our “Heaven’s Top 10 Questions List.” We want answers and if we don’t get them here we’ll ask in person one day.

God’s not afraid of being asked, “Why?” as you sort through the trials and tribulations. He is there to comfort you, to lift you up, to direct others who can lift you in prayer and be a blessing in your time of need. This is the beauty of the family of God. That is part of the answer to our cry, “Why?” Beyond our pain there is purpose in the mosaic of life.

Look at 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us”.

In all our uniqueness, there is a common factor of life – troubles, challenges, hurts and disappointments. But, with God, you are promised comfort through it all, grace for every situation and the strength to bear every trial. God doesn’t waste anything, and His ability coupled with our faith in Him means our trials can ultimately become treasure. Your perseverance and your victory allow you to pass on to others – with authority and conviction – there is hope, even as they question, “Why me?”

Today’s thought: God is good all the time. We have to choose to trust him and believe him. When we believe that He is really is good, we can bear anything. It is in those times of pain and disappointment that we also receive comfort: directly from God himself. Why? So we can comfort others. His comfort is a heavenly gift given to us so we can release it in the earth.

Today’s prayer: “I choose to trust You today. I believe You are good all the time and that all your ways are high and noble. You are weaving every aspect and situation of my life. I choose to celebrate the journey and not focus on the destination.”

Take some time right now. What is God saying today…to you. Write it down.

Marc Owings & David Terry

Written by: Marc Owings on August 9th, 2010
Posted in Running the race | 3 Comments » You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.