The Bigger Picture

Why does God allow us to go through pain and difficult times? We attempt to love Him as best as we humanly can, we serve Him by using the gifts and talents He has given us, we try to live our lives life for Him. I find that difficult to do when I am so sick much of the time and my body fails me. Sometimes all I want is a day when I can get up and feel half-way decent. God, I could use a break. I think part of His plan is that He is actually looking out for us. Because He really loves us, He is going to allow the pain and difficulty. He always sees the big picture, what we can’t see. He is constantly trying to mold and shape us if we allow Him to. He will place circumstances and people in our life to help guide us down the right path but we need to be willing to listen and follow. I think life doesn’t go the way we plan because God has a different plan. His destiny for our lives has solely to do with our salvation. His main desire is that we reach that destiny. His plan includes stops that encourage us and He is disappointed with the stops we make that deter us. When His sovereign plan and our earthly plans collide then a decision must me made; just who is in charge of the journey? If God has to choose between our happiness here on earth or our eternal salvation obviously He will close salvation. I think we learn something from the difficult times we go through – we grow. We find that usually have no place else to turn but to God because everything and everyone else has failed. Every incident can be used to bring us closer to Him. The difficult times used to frighten me but for some strange reason now I expect them. Satan has no power except that which God gives him. I expect I will be tested by the enemy because he wants to distract me from my destiny; but if I can hold on and endure I am promised the crown of life for eternity. Even when Satan appears to win, he loses - always. God did not promise the journey would be easy – He only promised a safe arrival. Before I knew Christ the difficult times were more difficult. Now I have power greater than the enemy. Satan accuses us but Jesus stands up for us and Satan doesn’t stand a chance. Satan is silent in the proclamation of Christ and is powerless against the protection of Christ. Jesus promised to keep us safe – hell will have to get through Him to get to us. There will still be difficult times in this life here – I must keep my eyes on the eternal prize and not lose sight of what and who really matter. Life here on earth is guaranteed to be an unpredictable journey...a series of bad days and good days, ups and downs. I will try to enjoy what I can. I have the assurance of my salvation and that is the prize worth fighting for. Someday I will be able to truly rest and enjoy the glory of my King.