The Tough Stuff

Loss. I just finished an article about this sobering topic. It is definitely not a respecter of persons. The past few weeks have reminded me of this fact. Once again I realized that at some point, all of us will experience loss.

Recently, some dear friends buried their Dad. A young husband buried his wife. A relative lost his job. And an acquaintance was diagnosed with cancer. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of health, or the loss of a job, we can all relate.

Still pondering this topic as I sat down to read this morning, I was encouraged by the reminder that in spite of all the difficult changes that occur, God hasn’t changed. One of my favorite verses serves as a testimony of this truth: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8, KJV). We can rejoice in the fact that He provides help, hope and ultimately healing when we’re overwhelmed by the difficult circumstances life throws at us.

The Psalms of David are rich with emotion. Praise, doubt, fear, faith. You’ll find all of them echoed in this fantastic book of the Bible. Psalms 61:1-3 shares a desperate, yet somehow confident prayer of King David in a distressing time of loss in his life, “1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.” David knew his God would provide help and hope.

I remember back to the unnerving time when my husband was laid off. How would we make ends meet? Would he find another job quickly? Would we have to sell our house? In the midst of our crisis, God offered us help and hope in His Word. He walked with us every step of the way. We were not in control of the situation, but He was! Nine, long months went by before my husband was employed again, but God was faithful to meet each of our needs.

When you stop to consider it, our times of greatest spiritual growth are, more often than not, brought about by difficulty and hardship. I can’t say that I’m first in line to sign up for suffering, but I know that I have grown as a result of difficulty and loss.

I’m reminded of the miscarriages my husband and I have experienced. How amazing it is to look back at the pain that we suffered, yet see God’s sovereign hand as He brought healing. Psalms 147:3 offers a beautiful promise from God to anyone who accepts it, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” God is also faithful to give us opportunities to bring comfort to others during their time of need. Our losses and struggles need never be wasted.

God’s desire is for us to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). Oftentimes it takes the tough stuff of life to get us to the place where we can be molded and shaped, and experience growth in our faith. While living on this earth, I constantly remind myself, that my sanctification won’t be complete until I reach heaven. Growing in faith is a journey, not a destination. How sweet to meditate on Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” He walks with us every step of the way.

Have you recently experienced a loss? Are you willing to allow the Lord to use it to draw you closer to Him and be a blessing to others?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the challenges life brings. I know it's through times of testing that I draw closer to You. I'm so thankful that You walk right beside me every day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

*A re-post from March 2010.

Why?

Sometimes I don't understand why things happen. I can't give an answer to the age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" For some reason, I fall for the belief that if I do the right thing, a good outcome is guaranteed. Oftentimes along life's journey, I forget my purpose and begin to live as if life was given to me for my happiness and personal fulfillment. Time for a reality check!

Although I know that life has its fair share of ups and downs, why is it so difficult to embrace the 'downs?' The Bible is full of examples of men and women who experienced unexplained hardships. Remember Job? He's described as a "perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil," (Job 1:8; KJV). Very impressive when you consider it was the Lord who described Job this way!

Job had everything going for him. He had a wonderful family, was wildly wealthy, and was well respected in his community. Job loved God and made constant intercession for his children. Yet one day, everything changed. In a matter of hours, Job lost his sons and daughters, his cattle and livestock, and even his health. Job lost it all. Why?

The book of Job lets me in on some things that weren't revealed to Job. The Lord allowed Satan to wreck havoc in Job's life. Tough to understand. Job was a prime servant of the Lord, yet the Lord allowed him to be severely tested.

When faced with the tragic news that his children had been killed and his livestock destroyed, Job's response is nothing short of astounding, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord," (Job 1:21). What faith! But the enemy wasn't willing to give in to defeat so easily. If Job wouldn't curse God as a result of losing everything, surely he would break if he lost his health.

Once again, for reasons known only to God, He allowed Satan to afflict Job with painful boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. Job's wife was of little comfort. She couldn't get beyond the difficult question: Why? Her advice to her husband, "...curse God, and die," (Job 2:9b). But Job saw things from a different perspective, and answered his wife with words indicative of his faith, "...What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10b).

It 's not too challenging to be positive for a day, but when trials stretch on day after day with no end in sight, faith is stretched to the limit. Job never cursed God, yet his outlook became bleak. He wished he had never been born, and he wanted answers. Why had tragedy struck his life? Why was God punishing him?

After a long time of silence, God DID speak to Job - but not with the answers Job expected. God's response was to remind Job that He created the world and everything in it, and His ways are far above man's ways. As Creator, God's purpose for His creation is to serve and honor Him, not for man to be focused on getting through life unscathed. Job realized the greatness of God, "I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee...Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," (Job 42:2,6). And God blessed Job, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning..." (Job 42:12a).

   

Knowing why something happened is not nearly as important as realizing that no matter how I feel, nothing - no trial, no tragedy - can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39). Life will continue to be peppered with ups and downs. I can take what comes, knowing that I serve a God who loves me!

Do you get tripped up when you don't understand why something happened? Will you trust God today and exercise faith in His control of your future?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your love. Help me to remember that You are in control and can be trusted, even when I don't understand why things happen. I choose to live for You today. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Life's Ups & Downs

The irony was unmistakable. We had spent an enjoyable Thanksgiving day with my sister-in-law and her family. As we caught up on family news, she asked how our sixteen year old cat, Courtney, was getting along. I remember smiling when I answered that she was doing well. Imagine my shock when we got home later that evening, and Courtney's eye was almost swollen shut. She was fine when we left - what could have possibly happened in the few hours we had been away?

A trip to our local vet escalated our concern. Not only did she have elevated blood pressure, but the pressure in her right eye was almost three times higher than normal. The doctor suspected glaucoma. I had heard of the condition, but wasn't aware that it could affect animals.

Glaucoma is an eye disorder marked by unusually high pressure in the eyeball that leads to damage of the optic disk (Encarta Dictionary). In humans, the condition is extremely painful. The vet referred us to an ophthalmologist, who could examine Courtney further and give us our options. Armed with medication to control her blood pressure, we left the vet's office ready to contact the specialist on Monday.

We received good news over the weekend. Courtney's blood work came back within the normal range for a senior cat. I heaved a sigh of relief, imagining the swollen eye was due to her high blood pressure, and now that she was on medication, everything would return to normal. But my sense of relief was short lived.

The ophthalmologist visit eased some concerns, but raised new questions. The pressure in Courtney's eye had come down significantly, but the doctor's specialized equipment uncovered another problem - a mass on her iris. We had a big decision to make. Ultimately, removing the eye would give her the best prognosis.

Life is full of ups and downs. King Solomon understood this truth when he penned these words, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance," (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4; KJV).

Knowing that God is in control even in the midst of life's valleys, is comforting. Christ himself experienced times of joy and grief while on this earth, so I know He can identify with the ups and downs I go through.

Job, a God-fearing man in the Old Testament, experienced one of life's extreme valleys. He lost his children and all of his wealth in one day. Instead of cursing God, consider his response, "...What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10b).

Even when life gets difficult, I'm determined to adopt the attitude of Job - to praise the Lord no matter the outcome! "...the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord," (Job 1:21b).

What about you? Are you currently in a valley? How will you respond?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your comfort in the middle of life's difficulties. Help me embrace the truth that You are good, no matter what I may be going through. Today I choose to praise You because You are "great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone," (Psalm 86:10). In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Job To Do

Everyone had a job to do. But not everyone was happy with the job that had been assigned. Discontent moved beyond thoughts, becoming words that fostered rebellion. Dissatisfaction continued to spread until more than two hundred and fifty people were affected. The instigators of the rebellion, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram were determined to let their voices be heard.

Why were Moses and Aaron the ones in charge of leading the children of Israel? Weren't Korah and his followers just as qualified? Their indignation led them to an unpleasant confrontation, "And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?" (Numbers 16:3; KJV).

Moses responded in wisdom. He saw through the fact that Korah wasn't satisfied with his position as a Levite, ministering in the tabernacle of God. Korah wanted the power of the priesthood also. But he failed to realize that God was the One who appointed the priests, not man.

Dissatisfaction with the roles God had given them, was the undoing of Korah and his followers. They paid the ultimate price, "And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods." Reads a bit like a science fiction thriller, doesn't it? But there's an important lesson to learn here.

Just as in Moses' day, the Lord continues to give believers jobs to do within His body, the church. It's my privilege to embrace the task He's given me and serve Him with it. But too often I fall into the trap of discontentment, just like Korah and his cohorts. Why does so-and-so get to do the job I wanted to do? Why can't I serve in a more visible role?

The truth is, the Lord gives every believer a vital role in the body. Each role is different. But when each member of the body performs his/her God-given role, the body functions as it should - without division. The Apostle Paul put it beautifully, "For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body," (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).

Instead of focusing on the roles of others, it's important for me to function in the role where God has placed me. Remembering that God placed me in the body (the church) where He wanted me to be, goes a long way toward keeping me content with the job He's given me to do. When I'm wholeheartedly concentrating on my role, I don't have time to desire the jobs of others. The focus is where it should be - on the Savior who allows me to serve Him!

Are you aware that God has a job for you to do? What steps will you take today to avoid discontentment?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me a job to do within the church. I realize we were not all created to be 'eyes,' or 'ears.' Help me to carry out the task You've given me, so I can bring honor to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Hope: An Anchor

Life is hard. From health problems and relationship issues, to the devastation of earthquakes and tsunamis - the cares of life can seem overwhelming. This past week has been surreal. Matters of deep concern for friends and family have been the topic of many phone conversations and text messages. Only days later, news programs relayed mind-numbing reports that continue to be difficult to grasp. Fear and hopelessness appear poised to take over.

Fear is a crippling enemy, with the ability to rob me of peace. When my mind begins playing the 'what if' game, fear gets in on the action, reminding me that I'm not in control. I can't change circumstances and I can't make decisions for others...soon hopelessness joins the game, unbidden. Fear and hopelessness link arms and if given a foothold, can wreck havoc with my mind. Yet, even in the presence of these foes, there IS hope.

Take a look at the life of Job. Listen in on a conversation between the Lord and Satan. "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (Job 1:8; KJV). Job was a good guy. Satan claimed Job was only loyal to God because God had blessed him. Satan asked for permission to destroy all that Job had, reasoning that Job would curse God as a result.

In a matter of 24 hours, Job lost all of his children and all of his oxen, sheep, and camels, in addition to most of his servants. Look at Job's response, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly," (Job 1:20-22). Amazing!

Satan was permitted to go one step further and afflict Job's health. Job's wife doubted God's goodness and advised him to curse God and die. "But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips," (Job 2:10).

Job wasn't superhuman. Throughout this forty-two chapter book we see Job falsely accused by his friends, and we witness his hope waxing and waning. Before Job sinks into despair, the Lord appears to Job. He doesn't offer answers to the many questions that have tormented Job. Instead, He poses a series of questions to him. Questions that no human being could answer. The point? God's thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9). Even during difficult times, when nothing makes sense, He is still God, and He is still in control.

Following personal tragedy, Job was able to cling to his hope in God and go on. And God blessed Job abundantly, "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters...After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations." (Job 42:12-13, 16)

Are you experiencing difficulties? Feeling fearful or hopeless? Anchor yourself to the Lord and allow Him to restore your hope!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a just, holy, merciful God. I don't always understand why things happen, but it's comforting to know that You are still in control. Comfort all those who are hurting. Forgive me when I give in to fear and hopelessness. Help me to remember Your Word: "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost," (Romans 15:13). I praise You today for who You are. In Jesus' name, Amen.