Blog

Week 1

We’re all guilty.  We plan and expect the perfect life.  If we come from this family, go to this school, avoid bad habits, do good to people, then we can have the perfect, well- planned life. Why shouldn’t we? Living in America we learn to dream the impossible. Lasso the moon and reach for the stars!

Then the unexpected happens. Something we didn’t plan for occurs, like an illness, divorce, death, a child on drugs, layoffs, financial setbacks or ruin. The list is endless, and it is generally more than one major stressor that hits at any given time. Daily we hear heartbreaking stories of lives that didn’t go as planned. We are very familiar with life’s unexpected curves.  

Pastors and counselors are daily assailed with questions asking why. “Why did my aunt die from Cancer?”  “Why did my husband leave me after 23 years or 46 years?”  “Why did my boy die at the age of 28 from a routine hospitalization for kidney stones?” “Why did we lose everything we owned because someone in our small company embezzled thousands of dollars?” “Why is my son on drugs after he was raised in a loving, Christian home?

Sometimes, when I’m talking with someone who has experienced one of life’s unexpected curves, I just want to cry. Sometimes I do just that, I cry!  I cry for all the pain and suffering that we endure while living on earth.  We attempt to ascribe some rationale for suffering in order to help the hurting but no amount of reasoning or “Christianese” can bring back the dead son or financial loss or ease the knife-like pain that takes up residence during times of suffering.  Human words have no way of healing some pain. How can I shine a ray hope when I am suffering from my own personal pain and darkness of night? I question through my own tears, knowing the answers lie in the fact that it is not because of what I feel right now, but what I know from my own experiences in walking through the trials with my heavenly Father. 

I learned through personal experiences that we may not have the answers to all our questions but we know “the answer.” The catchy phrase, quoted by Tommy Tenny in his book “The God Chasers” is applicable here: “You may not be able to trace His hand, but you can see His face.” The meaning is, we may not always understand the circumstances in life, but we can trust God is with us. He is intimate with every detail of our life and is very real and very near.

Life can be a struggle sometimes and understanding the complexities seems elusive but there is a source of strength available to all who seek to find it. This single illumination of truth transformed my way of viewing trials, afflictions and even death. Tests and trials that are handled with Jesus can make us stronger and more useable for the Master’s service if we will allow him to lead, guide, protect, encourage, prune and transform us into the reflection of Him. 

The “unexpected” events happen to every member of the human race, leaving you feeling as if you’ve been blind-sided.  You never saw the other vehicle coming, so you were unable to avoid the collision. How will we deal with the unwelcomed, unwanted intrusions in our peaceful lives? I believe it all hinges on the Master of our lives. Do we all perform perfectly during the trials and afflictions? I sure doubt it. The unexpected events in life are actually training sessions. Peter knew the unexpected all too well, but confidently wrote: 

“Rejoice, even though for a little while you are grieved by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Pet. 1:6-7

Military men and women have learned that grueling hours of training make the most combat-ready soldier. They are able to look ahead and see the true purpose of the training: to prepare them for the real enemy that desires to take their life and freedom. The agonizing days are short-lived, but most appreciated when the real combat occurs. David faced the lions and bears before meeting with Goliath, and we too will face lions and bears in preparation for the giant looming ahead–the one who desires not only to steal everything you own and destroy all you have worked and hoped for, but also to take your life and have you join him in everlasting torment. It is important that we focus on our attitudes and actions during these trials and tests.

One of my friends lost her 48 year-old-husband to a totally avoidable death. She was left with a young son, lots of unanswered questions, and mounds of bills. She called one afternoon in tears because she was about to meet with a banker regarding finances, unpaid bills and the mounting debt. She felt very insecure and totally ill-equipped to handle this business aspect.  She asked if I would pray with her for wisdom and then added a request that I have never forgotten. She said, “Pray that I will not fail God with the words of my mouth.” I have actually made it a personal prayer of mine and penned this prayer.

Oh God, through the various trials and tribulations that come my way, may I not fail you in word or deed. Questions, hot tears, a broken heart or grieving spirit may be my portion for a while, but they are not here to stay. They are merely seasons in my life. Father, help me to look to you and exude a fragrance of praise and ultimately become a beautiful, useable vessel fit for your service