I realized this morning how deeply I’ve been judging God and telling Him – “He should’ve done it better!” This life just feels too hard sometimes. I also realized that this is me playing god, saying that I have a better idea. Chapter 11 of God for Everyone tells us that “Without God, we are hopelessly lost and alone, and in pain. With God we have hope with the loss, isolation and pain. Either way this life is full of struggle, frustration, and challenge. According to Scripture, this is not a bad thing it just hurts –very, very badly.[1] God allows this system. He uses it to get our attention, and to perfect our character. He designed creation perfectly; but Adam and Eve rejected the plan-A design. God is infinitely creative, and flexible enough to make plan-B work. Plan-B honors our first parent’s choice to “know evil”. We now must live in this body which is spiritually dead, and function in this spiritually dead world and learn: “know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter for you to forsake the Lord your God.”[2]”
I need to get my focus back on God when I’m feeling the heat of the struggle. I am not remembering how much worse it was outside of the wings of God’s protection-I’ve gotten very spoiled and bratty under here. I’m only thinking about me -and not God’s agenda. I’m wanting paradise now (and throwing a tantrum because I can’t have it!) However, It’s my job right now to submit to the challenges that are perfecting my character here – in this difficult situation. As soon as I realized that, I got my focus back on God, and I felt better. Just remembering what our purpose is, re-focuses us and takes away much of the sting of the pain in the process, for misery loves company! – And God is with us in this place. “Jesus Christ came and proclaimed a radical new world view: ‘This world is lost, and I Am the way out. This world is backwards, and those who are poor, humble, and in pain are blest for they see the TRUTH of this REALITY.’” (from chapter 11)
[2] Jeremiah 2:19c.