Truth isn’t something you learn, but Someone you know. And the truth will set you free.
We are exploring highlights from How to Live Right When You’re Life Goes Wrong, by Leslie Vernick. This week we will learn some of the many ways to develop and improve your relationship with God.
“Scott Peck opens his best-selling book The Road Less Traveled with the statement ‘Life is difficult.’ Even for the person who knows God, life is full of troubles. Sometimes the troubles are big . . . The cold wind of adversity can strip us bare and chill us to the very core of our being. More often, however, the little things that invade our day-to-day lives shape our troubles. They are fingernails against a blackboard or pebbles in our shoe, ever-present irritants that capture our attention and make us beg for relief.” (pg. 29) Think back to Katrina; was it the magnitude of the event, or the constant details, that affected you most? (Of course it could have been both. At what point did the shock wear off and leave you with the ever-growing list of small stuff?)
Paul was given a unique perspective about difficulty.
[9] 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV)
“Often it is during the times of troubles and trials in our life when we ask God our most penetrating questions:
Why God? Why this? Why me? Why now? I have found that people ask these same questions whether facing big troubles, such as a diagnosis of cancer or the loss of a job or dealing with everyday trials, like being stuck in a traffic jam while trying to keep an important appointment or burning dinner when company is due.” (pg. 29-30) Do you ever find yourself saying, “Really God. . . Really?” What do you do with those thoughts? Are these thoughts wrong?
[8] And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” [9] Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? [10] Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. [11] But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” [12] And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. (Job 1:8-12 ESV)
Satan attacked Job’s family, destroyed his belongings, and ruined his health. There was a point when Job cursed the day he was born. But he never cursed the Lord, he remained righteous before God and more importantly, Satan.
[3:1] After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. [2] And Job said: [3] “Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, ‘A man is conceived.’ [4] Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. (Job 3:1-4 ESV)
“Because we humans have limited perspective, like Job we will never completely see the big picture this side of heaven. Many of us (myself included), however, get stuck trying to understand and explain the ways of God. . . God doesn’t ask us to understand him. Instead, he wants us to trust him.” (pg. 30) Pray about an experience where you lack understanding.
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