Reality hits us square in the face when we realize that we are not in
control of our circumstances. What do we do when the world as we know
grumbles around us? Who do we turn to?
Take for example a
business owner who has relative success. All is going smoothly. He can
finally save some money in his unusually empty bank account, and he
feels he is in control and life is secure.
Suddenly and without
cause, several of his clients decide to take their business elsewhere
and others are talking about doing the same. His secure world falls into
shambles and he desperately tries to figure out how to get more
business.
Does this sound familiar? Oh, this can happen in any
aspects of our lives: our family begins fighting with one another,
attendance in the big church begins to go down, friends starting to
avoid us, divorce, layoffs . . .
We always try to take charge of our
mishaps and try to figure our way out, but more often than not, we are
left wanting and in despair. Truly only One can give us the necessary
wisdom!
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on
your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will
make your paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6 NIV)
I know it is hard to
hand God the things we think we can handle ourselves. But think of it
this way: When we refuse to hand things over to God, we are, in reality,
showing that we trust ourselves more than our Heavenly Father who is far
above any circumstance! Is it really worth it? Can we truly do anything
about our circumstances? It may initially seem possible, but more often
than not we place ourselves in a worse scenario than ever before.
Is it really worth it to worry throughout the night when we could
have simply handed it over to our Heavenly Daddy, and placed it in His
trust? Do we truly believe He can and will help us, even amidst the most
dire circumstances? Hasn't He promised us rest?
He promised us:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest." NIV
Will we take Him at His word?
"But what about
those clients who are shunning me?"
It's all a question of whom
we trust. May we take the dire circumstances of our life as
opportunities to get to know God more on an intimate level. I promise
you won't be disappointed!
P. S. Just yesterday I experienced
just this type of a situation. I'm happy to say that instead tossing
and turning in my bed, as I usually do all night after such an
experience, I slept like a baby, for I knew my God would take care of my
monstrosity of a problem. I don't yet know the outcome, but it doesn't
matter, because when I leave God in charge, it always turns out for the
best.
Rob Chaffart