Are you having a JOB kinda year?
Job 1: 12 – The Lord said to Satan, “Very well then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Do you ever feel like God is allowing Satan to enter in and test your waters? To see if you will stumble, and alter your stance on how you believe, or what you believe? Well, we are certainly feeling a little like Job at our household lately!
It’s only January 24th , and already we are feeling the woes of 2013. Everyone has “stuff” happen, and things go wrong, but our family seems to be hitting a rougher-than-normal patch- so I figured there must be a reason. Why is 2013 any different from any other year? Why are we experiencing more medical issues than normal, more bills than normal, more…. just about anything – you name it – than normal?
As I was listening to the youth pastor continue his message on our identity the other night, my mind began to wonder about our life and the “issues” we have going on. I wondered about how I am doing everything I can to continue to keep up the “façade” of having a “good attitude” about each obstacle that comes our way. I can’t really do anything about them, so why get upset- right?
I can’t change the fact that my daughter, age 9, has lost almost all of her ability to hear in her right ear! All I can do is seek help, look for answers, and do what I can to help her in her classroom. I educate others that she may need them to speak louder, and try not to embarrass her or make too much of the situation. Somehow I have to manage the middle road and still stay “POSITIVE”.
I can’t change the fact that my son, age 3, has scoliosis (side effect of the spina bifida) that is so severe that he has to wear back braces 23 hours a day! I can’t change the fact that he can’t walk (yet!)! I can’t change the fact he has spina bifida and all the side effects. What I can do, is work my hardest at making sure I am providing the best care, best doctors, and best therapists while staying on top of the latest “whatever” to get him what he needs to improve his progress.
I can’t change the fact that we only have one car, and it seems to be a little fussy right now with oil issues! We’ve spent over $2,500 in the last 6 months and we have yet another oil leak! I can only seek the advice of a trusted Christian mechanic that will work with us to get the car fixed, so we have transportation to and from places.
The “I can’t change” list can go on- but what I do know is I can TRUST GOD. My all time favorite verse that I’m sure I’ve mentioned before is Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord ALWAYS and lean not to your own understanding. I can’t explain why any of the above is happening. I can’t explain why this year, 2013, is starting off rocky. I can’t tell you if February will be any better, but what I can tell you is- GOD is in TOTAL control. Just like the tress in the picture above, they may be covered with snow today, but that will soon melt away, just like the trials we are facing. I may not be POSITIVE everyday, because I’m human. I may have to throw down the “façade” I’ve been carrying, and just have a cry day, because sometimes that is just what is needed. What I know for sure, is that God is on the Journey with me and that when I can’t walk the road any longer, he will pick me up and carry me. What I do today will be rewarded in the future. God is still in control today just as much as he was last year when life seemed to be running a little smoother.
So if today is your cry day then I join you! But do not linger here! Celebrate that Christ is alive and well and living in you and will not falter. Rejoice and know that no matter what, God will never leave you nor forsake you!
Deuteronomy 31:8 – The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
