Sometimes I think God is absolutely crazy. No, seriously I do. It's like He picks the most inopportune times to allow satan (I refuse to capitalize his name) access in your life (see Job 1:6-12). These are the thoughts that ran through my mind as I sat in a funeral recently.
It's hard to understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives, especially when we are doing everything in our power to please Him. But through my life experiences, I've learned a couple of lessons about the craziness that God sometimes allows in our lives.
- There are three types of people in the world: 1) those going through a storm, 2) those coming out of a storm, and 3) those getting ready to go into a storm. It's a part of life, so don't try to avoid it.
- Following God never disqualified you from life's troubles. I mean seriously, look at what happen to Jesus………..and Paul, Peter, Mary. I could go on. The awesome thing about following God is that He gives you an awesome set of tools to deal with life's problems.
- When you get serious about God, the devil will get serious about you. Think about it this way: why would the devil want to waste his time disrupting your life when you're playing on his team? When you get serious about playing for God or when you start increasing your game time, satan has to do what he can to distract you. If he can cause some interference, he either 1) keeps you on his team or 2) stops you from getting as much playing time as you would otherwise get. I once read a quote that said (and I'm paraphrasing): The devil is a defeated foe who knows his fate. He's just attempting to take as many knuckleheads as he can with him.
- No matter what happens in life, it's important to remember that God is perfect and sovereign (Deuteronomy 32:4), and everything that happens in life works out well for people who love the Lord (Romans 8:28).
As someone who has seen a lot of hell in her day, I know that what I'm saying is easier said than done, especially when you're in the middle of a storm, but here are a few tips that I've learned to get me through.
- Use music to help you through. My personal favorites right now "Still (In Control)" by Kirk Franklin and "The Other Side of Through" by James Bignon. Check them out on iTunes.
- Keep building on your faith. Know that God's Word is true and keep reading it and repeating it so that it gets in your system and you have the faith to get through the trial.
- Control your thoughts. Think positive and stay focus.
- Keep repeating James 1:2-4. God is perfecting your faith so you don't lack in anything. He knows what He's doing, and He has your back. He has you covered.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
---James 1:2-4
