Are you in the middle of a situation or life experience that is woefully unpleasant? Are you up to your neck in a trial that seems entirely illogical? Do you struggle with trying to understand God’s plan and wonder when the gooey mud on your shoes will finally wash off and the path ahead will be paved and pothole free?
Let’s face it. Clawing out of the trenches is tough, and what becomes easy is pressing God about his timing and methods. Even now, my head is raised towards heaven over things in my life that I do not understand—obstacles that cause friends, family, and loved ones’ pain and confusion. From experience, I know it’s not always a snap to see God’s handiwork in your circumstances or identify his itinerary swirling in the background, especially when the hamster wheel of life keeps spinning faster and faster and nothing is straightforward.
Are you or have you been on that whirling hamster wheel when God’s ways don’t make sense?
Throughout my 62 years on this earth, there have been times when I have wanted to sit down with God over a steaming cup of coffee and ask him, “Why the confusing circumstances that seemingly make little sense? Why the dark valley experiences and unanswered prayers? Please explain yourself, Lord.”
The Lord just sits there and smiles, but remains quiet. So, I continue.
“Why did my parents die so young? My mom was 59, and my dad was 61. How come I lost my job twice through layoffs when I had a young family to feed? Why does my wife struggle with a legion of health issues? I’ve got friends and family who are struggling in different ways, Lord, and during those times, it can feel like you are beyond range and uninvolved in all of these unwelcome happenstances. Well, God? How about an explanation?”
Then God hugs me and tells me that he loves me. He hands me a slip of paper, gets up from the table, and walks away. I unfold the note and read the following…
“Jesus replied, ‘You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.’” (John 13:7 NLT)
“The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” (Exodus 14:14 NLT)
“’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)
Well, there you have it, friend. We can seek refuge in those Scripture verses when things don’t add up. We can know without exception that God Himself has our backs, and He promises that one day we will understand what He is doing and why. He’s fighting for you and me, and He has plans for us! I can also tell you from experience that when I look back on those life events that left me scratching my head—that once I emerged at the other end, I was able to see God’s hand on everything and how things unfolded at just the right time, and especially when I did not always understand.
I want to encourage you today that God is ALWAYS working in the shadows, and He has a PLAN. It may not seem like it right now, but one day you will get it. That’s God’s promise to us!
Paul Smyth
