When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get______?

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Ideally, we like to finish the above sentence with, “The tough get going!” as in, we buckle down and get through whatever situation we find ourselves in. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.

If at the current moment, you find yourself in an ‘ok’ mode. You have a job, family, vehicle, health is so-so…everything is coasting along, consider yourself lucky. You do realize that it won’t always be that way, right? Sorry to be a buzz kill, but that’s simply reality.

So that brings me to a second question: Exactly where does your dependence lie? In what or whom do you place your trust for your day to day life? When things are good, we can give lip service to God, say in Him we trust, but is there anything intense going on in your okay life that calls for you to trust? Not to say you’re not thankful for your life… job… family… health etc, but is your trust in all of the afore mentioned, or on God? As long as things are okay, we may not realize our guard is down, or our dependence has been subtly shifted from God to maybe our self effort or family.

I have seen countless Christians loose heart in God when their world comes crashing down around them. That husband or wife they thought was just perfect suddenly dies, or worse–walks out on them. It’s been said that a divorce is worth than death, because at least if a spouse died, you can feel confident that they died loving you. In the event of a divorce, the one that parted, or caused the parting did so because they did NOT love you. So, when that perfect spouse leaves you, whether through death or divorce, will you be able to go on? You can if your trust was on God. If you find your trust was on your perfect marriage, you may find your faith shaken.

Other instances–a child dies, or goes missing. A beloved sibling dies. Could we continue on with our lives? That alone would crush me I think. Knowing that it could become a reality, my dependence MUST be on God.

At the same time, I have seen Christians go through horrific situations and still their faith remained unaltered on God. A very dear friend I’ve known since elementary school has had to bury a husband, a child, and I believe 2 grandchildren. She has been disowned, taken advantage of, and in poor health. Yet, in her very heart felt writings, she talks about how God has brought her through all of her tragedies, because it was NOT something that any human could get through by themselves. She simply amazes me.

What about when you find yourself in a horrific situation… and you pray and ask God to fix the situation? You ask that He heal the loved one, to change the mind of a soon-to-be ex, for the boss to decide not to fire you. What if you pray for God to intervene and nothing seems to happen? The child still dies, the perfect spouse still walks out, the boss still fires you, etc.

Where is God in all of this? Why didn’t He wave His magic wand and fix everything?  The apostle Paul had the same question: He asked God to remove the thorn in his flesh. Asked Him three times in fact. God’s answer was firm: “No, my grace is sufficient for you”  (this is found in 2 Corinthians 12) Of course, Paul was told why he was given a thorn–to keep him humble. We may not have our trial explained to us, and God may not swoop down and fix things, but His answer remains the same for all of us: My grace is sufficient for you.

If we believe that, if we TRULY believe that, what would be a by-product of that belief?

Speaking of belief, that reminds me of our Sunday meeting last week. It was mentioned that a set of beliefs–a bullet-ed list, was really secondary to the main thing. Do you know God? Not do-you-have-a set-of-beliefs-about-God. But do you know Him? Have you met Him person to person? I find it a lot easier to trust people I actually know. I MIGHT venture out to trust someone that a friend validates, but there’s still going to be a caution until I know that person myself.

Some of us might place a LITTLE bit of trust in God, based on the validation of a loved one, a respected pastor, etc, but that’s not the same as knowing God personally, without the middle man of a loved one or respected Pastor.

I challenge you, BEFORE you go through a horrific trial, ask God to reveal to you where your trust is. If it’s not where it should be, ask Him to change it. Trust me, He will. If you’re already going through a horrific trial, it’s not too late. Admit that your trust placement was off kilter. Instead of asking God to fix the “other” people who caused the situation, ask Him to fix you… to help you put trust in Him in spite of the other people who caused your trial. You just might be surprised at what comes about as a result of that. I know I was.

Health Care is not the Issue

“Healthcare is not the issue” was a statement made in Bible Study this morning. The point being, everyone is ranting and raving over whatever decision was being made at the nation’s capital, was a red herring. When you sit back and look at it, you can see our point.

Even the people who are crying out, “We are a Christian nation! It’s time to take it back!” might be missing the point. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to live in the “land of the free and the home of the brave”. Like others, I’m not sure how much longer that’s going to last. Nothing lasts forever.

Nothing that is, except eternal life. The thing is… our fault-finding and blame game is lateral at best. Is no one looking at the root cause of our problem? The root cause in Syria’s problem? Nazi Germany back years ago? No–believe it or not, “too much government” isn’t the root cause of the problem.

The problem is, we’re spiritually dead and in need of life. Not “bad government and need the Ten Commandments”. Not even, “Put God back in schools”. Of course, tell people that and they’ll roll their eyes, look at you as if you were some one from Mars, and go on their merry way, trying to solve humanity’s problem in a humane way. Folks, sorry, but it can’t be done. The root problem is death. Spiritual death that each of us are born in, and remain in, until we come to Jesus by faith.

We were talking this morning–wouldn’t it be great if the entire world lived in a spirit of community like some of the Amish do? Mennonites or Quakers? Work together, have barn-raisings and just generally be a people of “Good works”. Well, that won’t happen, not on a n earthly level. Sure, you do have some philanthropists that will donate time and money to a worthy cause. But look at humanity as a rule. Why do some people work long hard hours? Some do, to merely put food on the tables, and some, in order to buy more toys. Some do in order to feel accomplished; some work long times to stay busy, drowning out other social problems. Why do we do anything? Usually one of the above or combination of several.

What if…. what if we all trusted God enough with our well-being, we reached out and helped our neighbor with no fear? What if the boss man trusted God enough to let the employees spend time with their families? What if the families trusted God enough to love them, that they could freely love their family, without fear of rejection, because God’s love was enough? What if children at school trusted God enough with their well-being that they had no need to bully one another? No need to steal from classmates who have more than they do? What if?

What if…the carpenter trusted God so much, he built houses and buildings for free? What if doctors trusted God so much, that they would treat people for free? What if we lived in a land where there was no need for currency, because people just generally helped one another? What if we trusted God so much that we didn’t have to live in fear of being hurt, either physical or mentally, by theirs? What if we lived in a land where there was no need for currency, because people just generally helped one another?

Right now, in this earthly plane, we don’t and won’t. However, there is coming a day when there will be a new heaven and new Jerusalem, and a new Earth.

While we can’t make any country perfect, for the simple reason that it’s run by humanity, we can start small.

1. Trust God

2. Help others.

3. Trust God some more.

4. Help others some more.

God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him, might be saved.

Would you like to meet this Jesus who loves you regardless of what sort of person you are? Have you come to the realization that no matter how many ‘good deeds’ you do, it’ll never be enough to create a perfect world?

Would you like to be able to trust God so much, that you can weather whatever hurt and however long the trial lasts, that you’re going through at the moment?

Have a talk with Jesus. Don’t do all of the talking, though. Do some listening as well.

I’ve had this song running through my mind this week:

However, when I think of how peaceful, calm and comforting to trust in God’s love and mercy, I can have this playing through my mind instead: