When God Seems Distant

Difficult circumstances in our lives are unavoidable. I hate that feeling of disbelief; it feels as if you've fallen out of an airplane and you forgot your parachute.
At those times, despite fervant and desperate prayers, it seems as if God is:
Playing a game
He's looking the other way
He just plain old doesn't care.

I see so many people who experience such confusion. They wonder who sucker punched them and why. What did they do that was so bad?
Not only is there pain about the actual situation; there is also pain in wondering why God didn't protect them or spare them completely.

At those times all we can do is hang on until the ride is over.

Then we get a chance to look back at the ordeal and reassess. What really happened and how we handled it. What we could have done better. What we did well.
Finally, we are able to recognize that God wasn't so distant after all; He has a perfect sense of timing. What we experienced was a moment of time in a process that God has orchestrated from the beginning.

Listen, I don't pretend to be an expert about trials and tribulations except for the fact that I've survived quite a few. And I witness many clients as they reel back in reaction to an unexpected hardship.

But I'm experienced enough to know that I don't really submit to God until I'm broken. And that's when I can finally get out of the way for Him to help me.

So it seems that God is not so distant after all. He's molding us and protecting us during the circumstances of our lives so we can acknowledge His guidance in our lives.
I really want to encourage you when you feel alone in your pain. Keep breathing and wait. Assume that God knows what's going on and everything has to play out.

Pushing Through Our Faith

It's one thing to talk about what we believe. Many of us are true scholars when it comes to the tenets of our beliefs.

In Bible college, many of my classmates were downright smug that they could recite the kings of the Old Testament in order and describe the history of the ancient prophets.

Me, I still had to look up the location of Hezekiah in the index when pressured.

I've become aware of what a challenge it is to actually act on what we say we believe, especially when hard times hit.

Then, along with the rest of us (even those who have to 'cheat' by looking in the Concordance) most biblical scholars find themselves shaking in their boots at the prospect of believing it.

Lately, I've found myself really having to lean heavily on the words I nag my clients about:

God is Sovereign;He knows what's going on,
If God is God He will guide and protect,
Scripture says He knows your heart and He will provide your needs,

And the big one:
It has nothing to do with who you are, and everything to do with Who He is.

I've had to sit tight in situations that would normally make me run off and hide.

Lately it seems like all the encouraging words (the things I really believe) are being replayed in my mind despite my personal misgivings.

I've had to invoke the relationship God has promised me through His Word, especially the part about not having the spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7). I've had to release my grasp on my opinions and emotions, fold my arms and allow God to show me what He can and plans to do in my life.

That last statement is funny, really. I wish I was as 'hands on' with housework, paperwork, and other tasks I'd rather not do as I am with wanting to have involvement in what goes on in my own life.

So, the challenge is not for God to prove that He can do what He says He can do.

The challenge is for me to let Him.

And God Laughed

Isn't it interesting how our plans go up in smoke even when our plans were so foolproof?

It's as if the things we pray for are only allowed when it's convenient; heaven forbid they aren't accomplished the way WE think they should be!

Lately there have been many changes in my life. Changes that I'm sure I prayed for somewhere along the line.

And I have the choice to go along with these changes or fight them every step of the way.

Either way the changes WILL be made.

Over time I've come to realize that disagreeing with God is common. But in the end, He's going to win. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

In the back of my mind I often hear this response when I hear of someone's ambitious plans or have plans of my own:

"And God laughed..."

Not AT us but more in love as He knows our tendency to plot and plan our own way. He knows what is best; He sees the big picture and how we have to go through some tough stuff to get to where we're supposed to be next.

"And God laughed..." in delight at our sincere desire to minister and do things for Him.

"And God laughed..." at how foolishly we behave when we think things are going horribly wrong when really they're going very right.

So in the midst of your thwarted plans and deep anxiety over situations in your life, remember there is a God that is so able to do what He says He will do that He can laugh.

Even when we can't.

Being Truthful

You know how I determine if I'm supposed to tell someone something that might offend them or hurt their feelings?

I don't want to do it.

I hem and haw and delay. I tell God that I'm just being patient and that maybe I misunderstood what I saw and/or heard. I mean, if I'm wrong it will create unnecessary pain in that relationship and who needs that?

But I've learned over time that my hesitation is a signal to me. It means my attitude and heart is right before God; when I do share my concerns with someone it's not because I can but because I have to.

When I was a much younger Christian, I thought it was my (gleeful) duty to point out the flaws of others.

Not necessarily to the offender, but to anyone within listening distance. I mean, I don't want a confrontation, right?

I realized later (having also been the recipient of that behavior and being really injured) that what I was doing was not helping the person. Rather, it was gossip.

So now I find it better to ask myself, "If I were in this situation, would I want to know?" If the answer is 'yes' I force myself to discuss it with the person. If the answer is "No, it wouldn't change anything or help" I keep it to myself.

I am not the Holy Spirit. I don't want to wave my righteous finger in front of anyone.

But if it were me and I knew the person talking to me did it for the right reason I'd be able to listen.

And hopefully change.

Uh, Ok...

Computer woes are getting me again.

As many of you know, we have a new puppy.

A mouthy, rambunctious, bouncy, chewy, slobbery puppy.

He just doesn't know what's cool to pounce on and what isn't.

Bless his heart.

I say that because his favorite chew toy at this point is either ME or expensive computer wires.

...Bless his heart...

During my Christmas break I've had to stock up on bandages because Teddy surprises me and snags my ankle or wrist.

One time he almost pierced my nose (THAT took some explaining).

These last few days Don and I have been dogsitting along with tolerating our own playful pup.

Unfortunately, Teddy thinks these well-behaved, quiet, peaceful older dogs are new playmates (or chewtoys)and he has pestered them mercilessly.

Poor things. Bless their hearts.

Usually our visits with Jordie and Murphy are a delight; this time, however, I'm reminded of those commercials that feature starving children who woefully gaze at the camera. These dogs stare at me as if begging me to DO SOMETHING!!

Sorry, Dudes. You're on your own. I'm on my way to Walgreens to get more bandaids.

Here We Go Again!