Life isn’t fair. We don’t have to live very long before we begin to figure that out. But how should we respond when things don’t turn out the way we hope?
2MefromHim Devotionals
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14
Life isn’t fair. We would all change that if we could.
Elisabeth Elliot said, “I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned… Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives.” (1)
None of our hearts are quiet in every area. Children, health, finances, jobs, almost every area of life are all causes for concern. We pray, and seek the aide of counselors, psychiatrists, and pastors, and still life’s worries consume us.
How different life would be if we accepted each difficulty and trial with the calm assurance that a loving God is working for our best, and completely in control? We would move through each day with the calm assurance that the best and most agreeable outcome possible would result, no matter the situation.
As Christians, we are called to cultivate an attitude of accepting everything as God’s best for us and all those whose lives intersect ours. We have the power through the Holy Spirit to trust and believe in God’s best, but we struggle in doubt in unbelief.
Complete faith is a mindset foreign to human nature. Perhaps the part of man that knows we were intended to be in perfect harmony with God causes us to expect life’s circumstances to always be good. However, the divine plan is that man, having sinned, must bear the consequences of suffering and death. To do so with unshakable faith and calm assurance is God’s intended outcome of a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” But to accomplish that is impossible in our human nature.
Begin today to cultivate an attitude of trust in the nature of God. Seek to see life through the prism of God’s love and confidence in His eternal good, to do so will be to experience His joy and peace in the midst of suffering.
My question should not be “why me, God,” but rather, “God enable me to glorify you in this.” It is impossible in our human nature, but possible in a heart assured of His loving control, even when things in life seem unfair.
© Copyright, Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, January 26, 2014.
(1) Elisabeth Elliot, The Elisabeth Elliot Newsletter (March/April 1995), p.1.
About the author:
Norma Gail’s contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in 2014. She is a Bible study leader, and writes devotionals for ChristianDevotions.us, StitchesthruTime blog, and “The Secret Place.” She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is married and has two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail
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Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170/ or
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864 ?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
8 Comments
So many times we do resort too quickly to the “why me” attitude instead of asking God “what do you want for me through this” or “how do I glorify you”? I’m thankful God is faithful to listen, forgive and give us grace and comfort even when we doubt Him through our trials.
We have a very gracious God!
This is so true…. I’m always so quick to whine and ask God “Why me…?” – thanks for the encouraging word!
Thanks for letting me know! It’s encouraging!
Great reminder, Norma Gail!!! I love this, in particular: “To do so with unshakeable faith and calm assurance is God’s intended outcome of a relationship with Jesus Christ. ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ ” I love thinking about His intended outcome! Blessings from “Espressos of Faith”!
Thanks, Bonnie! You are really an encourager! I’m so glad it spoke to you!
Learning to trust in the sovereignty of God has brought me much peace. Knowing that there are eternal purposes in all things gives me the strength to go on.
There’s no other way! He is able! We are not!