Oh man, sometimes you just have those days. Those days you just can’t shake off the cobwebs, those days you can’t seem to get your mind right or put that smile on your face. Today was one of those days. It could have been the plane that is 3 days past its out date, or the rain, or the soreness from this weekends workouts……or just because its Monday, but today was definitely one of those days. But here’s the thing. I know that God is there, and I know that even though He seems far away, He is really right by my side.
I didn’t set the example today that I should have. I was quick to anger. When my lunch was delayed I finally said, “Forget this, I’m going anyway,” and threw my papers on the desk and left. I know that isn’t the way to act. But man, sometimes it really just gets to you and you need to step away and clear your mind.
But now that I’m finished complaining and feeling sorry for myself, let’s take a second to look at it from a different perspective. Imagine……just for a minute……in your darkest moments, when you feel like you are overwhelmed and you feel like you just need to go home and take a nap……how bad would it be if God wasn’t there, if Jesus wasn’t carrying you through these times?
I’ve written about how Jesus always has His hand stretched out for you. Oh trust me, today I was reaching right back. I was stretching my arm out as far as I could. But sometimes in life we are meant to go through trials and tribulations. And today I’m pretty sure was one of those days. I’m pretty sure I failed miserably, but I know tomorrow will be better. In fact I know tonight will be better.
In Peter’s first letter he says, ” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. He of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you (I Peter 5:6-10).”
Exalt you when? He said “at the proper time.” I know God has a plan for me. I know He tests me to make sure I’m still obeying Him and that I have faith in that plan. For goodness sake, the Israelites roamed the wilderness for 40 years to learn the valuable lessons they needed to learn before they were allowed into the Promised Land. Hopefully “the proper time” for me isn’t 40 years. But if it is, then so be it. Because that is the way God has planned it.
I know all days aren’t going to be perfect. And in my very first post on here I said that if you continued to read this that I would take you through the good and the bad times. The smooth roads and the bumpy ones. I accept these down days, these days were I don’t act my best, these days where I should exhibit more faith. Here is the reality. If your entire life was perfect all the time, how would you really know that it was perfect? The bad times make the good times all that much better. And I stand firm in my faith that the good times will come again.
I pray that you look towards God in your struggles. Ask Him to help you…..don’t run in the opposite direction. Have faith that He is there. That He is testing you for a reason; that the lesson that you may need to learn is extremely valuable, and that He will not ever leave you…..because I believe even during those times of distress He is standing there, right over our shoulders cheering us on; saying, “You can do this, I know you got this. I got your back.”
Tetelestai 