Continued Disappointment
Job 24:16-17
“God has made my heart faint; the almighty has terrified me. Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.”
Do you ever feel as though you have the worst luck in the world? Do you feel as though you are never able to catch a break? That bad things and events are all that follow you?
Perhaps you were hopeful that 2012 would be your year; a year of change and transformation for the good. Perhaps you felt as thought he tables were about to turn and a life of joy and happiness was headed your way. Perhaps you fully believed that God had heard your prayers and had finally decided to pour out His blessings upon you…But now, only nine days into the new year your world has already been rocked. The fighting has not stopped. Your parents are still not speaking to one another. You still have to choose sides. You still have to relive the divorce every single day. Already, your hope for a new year has been shattered.
You are not alone in the way that you feel. Throughout the bible there are hundreds of examples of men and women who were faithful servants to our Lord what at times felt as though they could never catch a break. These men and women no doubt questioned God’s authority because of the circumstances they were experiencing.
The entire book of Job in the Old Testament is about God allowing Satan to attempt to destroy Job’s faithfulness to God. Satan tried every route, every avenue throughout his attempt to ruin Job; he literally took everything from Job, yet still Job remained faithful.
Do you feel as though your life mirrors that of Job’s? Are you struggling to understand why God has allowed such terrible darkness into your life?
I wish I could give you an explanation for why God has allowed things to unfold as He has, but no one can answer that question. All I know to tell you today is that we must trust Him and His plan for our lives. He makes all things come together for His good.
May you embrace these words from Job and be encouraged to hold on to your faith.
At the end of Job’s trials, God restored Job and blessed him more than he could have ever imagined.
Your suffering has purpose. Hold on and have faith.
Amazing Grace
As a child of divorce you’ve already learned there are consequences for mistakes your parents made. You may feel like you’re being punished for something you didn’t cause or create. You probably have every right to be angry with one or both of your parents. How are you dealing with these feelings? Let me persuade you not to go this alone. Please ask God for sustaining grace.
Grace is such a buzz word in our culture till I’m not sure we embrace what an incredible gift it is. We don’t enter the world equipped to handle setbacks. This process must be learned and without the love and support of your Heavenly Father during this tough time, you may resort to other alternatives. God wants to be your go-to source when the foundation of your home begins to crumble.
“But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Apostle Paul had what he called a thorn in his flesh. There’s much speculation as to what the thorn was. Many Bible scholars think it was a physical affliction. Whatever it was, Paul petitioned God three times to take it away. God didn’t take it away but He did give Paul grace to live with his handicap and Paul became one of the most powerful writers in the New Testament.
Encouragement:
God’s heartbeat is fierce protection for his children. When you’re weak God has the opportunity to restore you in such a way there will be no explanation you can give except to say. “It was God.”
God’s grace is available and waiting for you. Give Him your anger, your fear, your confusion, and your hopelessness. Watch how He heals you and gives you strength you never knew you had. I would love to hear your story.
Know I’m praying for you,
Sherry
For your Playlist: Your Grace is Enough by Chris Tomlin