We have all faced trials that demand more of us than we ever planned to give. The last few years have been no exception.
Now over 20 years a Christian, when adversity strikes, I have learned the basic practice of looking for God’s lesson in the midst of the storm. Never does He disappoint. He is always there: faithful, at work, calming the seas (or calming me). Showing me once again that evil’s ill intent can be turned on its head by my great and good Father with the snap of a finger. When paying attention, I can actually witness Romans 8:28 come alive in my circumstances, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” It is miraculous and peace-giving. Not to mention maturing.
How He redeems, rescues, and molds me through life’s turbulence then becomes another part of my testimony to His goodness and glory. He deserves every note I sing and every ounce of my finest oil.
Sadly, I’ve doubted Him more than once. I’ve wondered if He was there. I have viewed Him incorrectly. Which I have regretted every single time because He always comes through. Not necessarily in the ways that I would expect, but in the ways that matter to heaven.
He has used adversity to help me become less selfish in my marriage.
He has used adversity to teach me how to love people better.
He has used the adversity of rejection to show me that I still crave approval.
He has used adversity to expose my fears and doubts.
He has used adversity to help me focus on my eternal purpose instead of my stuff.
Stuff. Pride of life. It’s a major hurdle for many of us.
In 2008, Dan and I were some of the first people to lose their home. Through that experience, God adjusted my priorities and helped to shift my focus from the things that are material to the things that are eternal. I believe He wanted my heart to break for things that break His. From that point on, He has repeatedly allowed security blankets to be removed, all of which have led me to the question, Is Jesus my enough? Or do I place all my hope and trust in my stuff? In the ministry? How I look? Or in having a house that looks like a magazine? Do I have idols that are set on the throne of my heart?
Paul said in Philippians 4:11-12, “For I have learned, whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
I confess, it is taking God some time to get me to where I am content in Him alone. I’m not there yet. Like Paul, I want to be able to praise Him even if I am in prison, lockdown, or in need. I want to be able to say with all certainty, “My enough is not in my stuff!”
Since the beginning of time, God has been trying to teach His people not to put their trust in idols. They still do. I still do. But He is not done with us yet. Thank goodness.
Friends, while I grieve for the hurting and the troubles we are facing right now (deeply), I am also praying and trusting in joyful anticipation that God will use this time to realign His people with His heart. He will use this time to help those who have derailed, get back on track. And I know that some, who have never trusted in Him before will come to put their faith in Jesus. Certainly, there are those who will completely miss the Lord in this season, but I am grateful for every heart that is forever changed.
Our world moves at a rapid pace. We live in a culture of busyness, doing, and achieving. I pray that we all commit to searching search for the things of God and remain open to what He wants to do in our lives individually and as His church.
I stumbled on this poem and thought it was so timely…
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life
We’ve added years to life, not life to years
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice
We plan more, but accomplish less
We’ve learned to rush, but not wait
These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom.
-Author Unknown
My sincere prayer is that, like the women in Scripture who stored up their oil waiting for the Bridegroom, we too are wise and stock our spiritual shelves with far more Jesus. May we be people who are open to what God is trying to teach us and may He forever and always be where our treasure lies.
