I think it is safe to say that the great majority of God’s children believe that nothing happens to us in life by accident or coincidence. That being true, why is it that so many questions, doubts, and fears arise within us when we are going through a hard trial? The only thing I can think of in that regard is that we’re human and our old nature is very much alive. Let’s be honest, we all see it pop up on us from time to time. Even now, at the time of this writing, some of us may be perplexed about a friend or loved one who’s been sick or in the hospital for a long time, or one whose doctors are not giving much hope. And that doesn’t include any storm we are experiencing. And if we say we don’t understand, I trust the voice of the Holy Spirit within us will remind us that we don’t have to. We just need to trust God. We need to remember that He always does what is best for us. We must never forget the promise 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) That’s us!
Concerning the burdens that come our way from time to time, one of my favorite internet pastors wrote this recently: [“I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day, the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn’t come. He called him several times; he still wouldn’t come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just wouldn’t come. The man finally threw a stick out into the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master’s feet….. It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can’t get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master’s feet.”]
I agree with that sentiment. Sometimes, things are going so well for us that, just like the dog in the previous illustration, we are having such a good time that we unknowingly shut out God’s voice. When He finally gets our attention, often our first instinct is to panic. If that’s the case, I trust we will remember His promise and invitation in 1 Peter 5:7 which says: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
God’s promise for today: (Psalm 55:22) “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.”
