“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” – Psalms 25:1
A bad medical diagnosis … a job loss … the breakup of a longstanding relationship.
These, and many more, are serious crises that life can throw at us. Our worlds go into a tailspin. As the dizziness grows, a question often arises: “Why is this happening to me?”
Understandable, perhaps … but for people of faith, flawed.
Have you heard stories of people who suffered failures, or serious setbacks, only to find tremendous success later?
Often, they credit their rebound to an opportunity, or lesson(s) learned, from the earlier crisis.
In hindsight, the situation that once seemed like a roadblock, didn’t happen “to” them. It happened “for” them.
A Matter of Trust
“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” – Psalms 52:8
We’d do well to adopt a “for” mindset. If we trust that God has a plan for us, we similarly need to trust that he does everything for us – good, bad and indifferent.
A challenging situation might not fit our lives right now. We can question the “why” of it. Yet He’s shaping us for whom He wants us to be, for His purposes – not ours.
Yes, God does everything “for” us – even allowing circumstances that are incredibly stressful and painful. These times can seem like punishment.
But are they?
Or are they just part of a larger, more holy plan?
Things We Begin to Understand
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Consider the “all things” part of this verse. It means that everything in life is done for the good of those who love God.
They might not make immediate sense, or could even be crushingly hard or painful. Yet, all are according to His purpose.
God gives us innumerable gifts. We should accept them – graciously and willingly. Believe the Holy Word, not the human word, that these gifts are “for the good of those who love him.”
We won’t cover the world in Christ without fully trusting God. Even when circumstances are overwhelming, we should surrender more to Him, and trust more.
Along the way, life might diverge from our plans. Could God have a better plan? It’s easier to see, and manifest, when we fully yield to Him.
If we adopt a Kingdom mindset, it’s a question of when – not if – we reclaim the world for Christ. Part of this is believing that all things happen “for” us.
“To” us?
A relic of the past – the mindset of a disciple we used to be, who thankfully has grown. This person serves a God who loves us. Sometimes He puts us through pain to accomplish larger goals.
Can we see them? Very possibly not – at least immediately.
Do we trust God, and return His love?
If the answer to both is “yes,” then it’s only a matter of time.
(If you’re ready to embrace Christ, He’s ready for you. Visit C-Suite for Christ to join in Christ-centered fellowship with other professionals. Join us as a member. Plant a chapter where you live. Consider becoming a corporate partner. Follow C-Suite for Christ on LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Contact Paul M. Neuberger at (414) 313-8338 or pneuberger@csuiteforchrist.com.)
