Romans 5:3-4 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. This whole trials and rejoicing and all that has been on my mind lately. Since my family seems to be stuck in a loop of the same or similar problems and trials, I sure hope I’m building something good. I suppose endurance is one of those things. It really gets frustrating sometimes to be as old as I am and not really be more financially secure. I know it’s tough on my husband because he feels it’s his fault in a lot of ways (which it really isn’t), especially since he’s supposed to be the provider and all that. And I sure hope that we’re building character, too. Building character always reminds me of that Calvin and Hobbes cartoon where Calvin’s dad tells him that he’s building character. It’s not the most spiritual of things, but I’m going to post a couple here because I love Bill Watterson’s cartoon series and because it’s relevant. Last thought on endurance and character and all of that. I suppose that rejoicing in the clouds and not just in the silver lining reminds us that God can work through anything. The clouds just make His solutions that more amazing.
Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? I feel a little bit like the remnant sometimes. I feel small and discouraged by the circumstances of my life. Last Sunday was one of those days. I was frustrated by some of the events that had happened and discouraged by life. The hope of God’s promises seemed really impossible and it seemed like we’d never get out of the situation we’re in. There always seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon, but it never seems to get any closer. I was overwhelmed and felt incredibly small compared to the craziness and circumstances of what is going on around me. But God reminded me of His faithfulness, first through a song by Israel Houghton called “Everywhere That I Go.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus: You promised me, you’ll never leave You promised me, I’m never forsaken and I believe Goodness and mercy, will follow me Surrounding me, where I go Every where that I go These words are incredibly comforting because they remind me that God NEVER leaves, He NEVER gives up, He NEVER fails to keep His promises. He never makes pie-crust promises (those promises that are easily made, easily broken… as Mary Poppins would say). Everywhere that I go, He is there, surrounding me with His great LOVE! So, what seems like it would be impossible and has over time seemed like it will never end, is not impossible for God. He never leaves me stuck here, He never gives up on me, and He never fails to keep His promises. Is it impossible? For me, yes. For God, no. I still get discouraged and feel tiny compared to my overwhelming circumstances, but this (and God’s continual reminders through music) helps me to stay focused on the fact that God is SO much bigger than my storm and SO much more able to do the impossible than I can imagine. I certainly don’t know the future, but I do know that He’s already been there and already knows the best path to take to get there. And in the end, if I get there holding His hand, then no matter what life throws at me, He will lead me in His presence and eventually all those promises will be true.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. This verse reminded me a lot of our current economic situation. The fig trees have no blossoms, there are no grapes on the vine, and the fields lie empty and barren. Jobs are scarce, many people have lost their homes and life savings, and yet others are struggling to make it through each day and put food on the table. But the author, while he acknowledges these difficult times uses that contraction “yet” – despite it all. He will rejoice and be joyful in God – my salvation. My Salvation isn’t just a pretty term. Salvation is the One Who Saves. It’s one of God’s attributes. He saves. He saves physically, spiritually, economically. He does it all. So, the author is praising God because he knows that God can rescue him (and us) from the bad conditions of the country. In these times when things are difficult (and believe me, my family knows about difficult, even though we’ve been blessed to still have jobs), we can choose to rejoice in God our salvation. Easy? Nope. Helpful? Yep. It’s amazing how a little praise can change your perspective on a situation.
I realize more and more how patient God is when, once again, my plans are foiled by a shift in sleeping patterns! Jeremiah 27:6 So you must submit to Babylon’s king and serve him; put your neck under Babylon’s yoke! God is warning Israel that He has chosen the Babylonian king to rule over many nations and be His instrument (interestingly, he calls King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon His servant – did He worship God?), so Israel must submit to Him or be punished further. Sometimes the hard things in life are appointed by God to do good things in our lives… even when they are harsh and unpleasant. But, similar to Israel, if we submit to the process and stop struggling to get away from it, that’s the fastest way through, the safest way through, and ultimately the only way through. Definitely not the easy way. I’m not good at this because it means I have to give up control. When we had our second little boy, our finances took a huge hit. My instinct is to try and figure out what I can do to fix it. But God wanted (wants) to use that in my life to teach me to trust Him and surrender control of this area (arguably the hardest thing to take my hands off of). Submitting to the process is the best way to work through it, trusting God and learning to stop trying to do His job for Him. Am I done learning? Apparently not, but I’m learning.