The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Exodus 14:14 (NIV)
My dog attacked my cat this morning. It was highly uncharacteristic of her, especially when the cat’s only “crime” was to walk into the room. Praise God she wasn’t hurt. Not that she let me verify that; but her later actions (running off, jumping on the counter) indicated that there was no physical injury. She was, however, very angry…
And guess who she was angry at?
Well, it wasn’t the dog! She was angry at … me!
I’m not sure why. Maybe she thinks I should have protected her? Or maybe it was because the dog was sitting at my feet just before it happened, so she confused who actually attacked her? Or maybe she is just so angry she isn’t thinking logically, and is striking out at the first one in her path? But whatever the reason, it took hours before she would let me touch her again…
Aren’t we all so often just like my cat? Something bad happens to us, and who do we automatically blame? God! He should have protected us! Haven’t we faithfully paid our tithe? Assisted in the soup kitchen? Maybe we’ve even given money to the homeless person on the street. Shouldn’t God have protected us from the bad thing that happened?
We tend to forget, however, that God’s protection isn’t a reward for doing good. “One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’” (Ps. 91:1-2 NASB). Yes, God promises to be the refuge and fortress for those who trust in Him; however, we all know that people taking refuge in strong towers and fortresses can still be touched! Jesus Himself said, “In the world you have tribulation…” (John 16:33b NASB)
We also forget that God allows people the power of choice, and sometimes their choices hurt other people! “choose for yourselves today whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15 NASB). All through history, from the Garden of Eden until the present day, God has allowed us to make choices. Eve made the wrong one (See Genesis 3). So did Cain (See Genesis 4), and so many billions of others. If God didn’t allow us this choice, if He forced us to always do things His way, He would have an army of robots, and that’s not what God wants! He wants us to serve Him out of love and respect for Him, not because we have to!
Finally, we tend to forget that our enemies aren’t people: “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NASB), and the devil likes nothing better than for God’s children to suffer… “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NASB).
As a result, none of the real reasons for our trials are God’s fault! He’s not the one to be angry at! Rather, He’s the one to turn to for help through the problems that have been dumped on us by the fact that we live in a sinful world! In fact, we are told to … rejoice … in trials! “And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5 NASB). God may not be the One who brings trials upon us, but He is the One who can help us grow through them! Don’t blame God for your trials! Instead praise Him for the mighty work He will do through them!
Not only is God not to blame for our troubles, but He stands by ready and eager to help us through them: “God is our refuge and strength, A very ready help in trouble.” (Psalms 46:1 NASB)! Let’s stop turning on God every time something bad happens. Rather, let’s turn to Him and receive the help He wants to pour out upon us through the situation!
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4a NIV)
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
