Life is uncertain, it is full of surprises, both good and bad. Regardless of how carefully we plan, We can never be sure what the future holds. Sometimes we expect good things and instead bad things happen. Other times, we may expect the worst, and things work out favorably.
As Christians, however, we understand that things are going to happen. We will all have challenges, disappointments, and unfair situations arise in our lives. The Bible tells us that both good and bad things happen to Christians and non-Christians alike. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)
As much as Christians or believers of God would like to believe that just because we acknowledge God in our lives, we should never have any sorrow, God does not promise that we won’t have difficulty or heartache. We live in a fallen world. A world where Satan and his minions exist. Bad things are going to happen to everyone.
What God does promise, however, is that He will always be there for us. God has our back and will keep us lifted up, fight our battles, and we will always come out of every situation better and stronger. “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)
Most of us hate the uncertainty of not knowing what tomorrow holds, we want to feel we are in complete control of our lives and our destiny. We resist turning our lives over completely to God because we are afraid God’s plans might be different than what we want. How foolish to think we know better than the God who created the universe and everything in it, yet we all seem to struggle with this at one time or another in our lives.
As Christians, however, we understand that things are not happening randomly. We know that everything is part of God’s plan. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” And Proverbs 16:33 tells us, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Or as the New Living Translation states it, “We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.”
These verses remind us to accept the events in our journey through life without judgment. This doesn’t mean that we can’t have opinions or preferences. God gave us the ability to think for a reason. He created each of us with our very own unique desires and abilities. He knows each of us much better than we know ourselves and knows what is best for us. Therefore, we must trust that God knows what He’s doing, even if we don’t always understand it.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
We can remember the past and hopefully, we learn from it, but we can only see the moment. God looks at time much differently. He sees the past, presence, and future. I like to use the analogy of life being like a puzzle. We are trying to put the pieces together without the aid of the box top. We have no idea what the finished picture will be, until we near the end. But God has the box top. He knew what our life would look like before we were ever born. He knows what the finished product of our life on earth will be.
Proverbs 19:2 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Our plans and desires may not always align with God’s will, but we can trust that His purpose will ultimately prevail. Of course, we can still control a lot of things. We can have a lot of impact on our journey and the people around us. We can be kind and helpful to those around us, forgiving to those who hurt us. We can support the less fortunate, striving to be more like Jesus.
We should endeavor to live according to God’s teachings and commit to accepting everything without judgment, knowing that God is at work in every situation.
Whether we’re facing significant problems or minor ones, we can always trust that He will guide us if we seek His wisdom and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
When we experience blessings, we should recognize them as blessings from God and thank Him for His goodness.
And when we face challenges or difficulties, we should trust that God is with us and doing everything for our good.
We can only experience true peace in our lives when we put our trust and hope in our Lord and His divine providence.
Books by Jerry, many of which you may read for free: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jerry-Blount/author/B06XK4GJT1
- Things You Probably Didn’t Learn in Chruch
- Basic Christianity: Living a Joy-Filled Life and Making a Difference
- The End Times: Signs and Prophecy
- Noah and the Great Flood: Proof and Effects
- Following Jesus and Fishing Along the Way: Stories of God’s Great Outdoors
- The Rapture: Coming Soon
Sharing Jesus 