One of Those Days
Have you ever had one of those days? You know the kind I’m talking about: the alarm doesn’t go off so you’re late for work; Johnny forgot his lunch and you have to make an extra trip, not only to the school, but also to the grocery; when you get ready to pay for lunch later that day, your debit card is missing – maybe you left it at the grocery earlier that morning. At this point you may be thinking, “Have you been following me around today?” To top it off, the phone rings later that evening and it’s your best friend. She got her test results back and the news is not good. All the petty annoyances of the day suddenly move into perspective.
We’ve all been there. Nothing seems to go right. Sometimes it seems like we have not just “bad” days, but “bad” weeks, months or years. Take heart. These times may seem the norm, but such seasons come and go. God’s Word reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Although circumstances are temporary, the love of God reigns eternal!
During the difficult seasons of life, we often learn how to better live according to the truth we’ve been taught in Scripture. God's grace becomes very real, and we more graphically see how God uses friends and family to care of our needs. Your life may very well be changed by the trials of life. When we come through the trials of life, it is a testimony to God's strength and grace that we survive.
Probably the most persistent lesson you can learn during the gloomy seasons of life concerns prayer. During those dark times, you learn to truly rely on God. The Apostle Paul shares this eternal promise, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
In the midst of struggles and trials, we need to remember this truth: God works for good in all things. When we love Him and call Him LORD of our lives, then we need to trust that even through the tough times, He is in control and His purpose will be fulfilled. Often the best prayer we can offer is that God would open our eyes to see what He is already doing. Faith is the confidence that God is working, but sometimes our faith needs a boost to see more clearly what God is doing.
Try this: pray that God would not change your circumstances, but that He would change perspective about those circumstances. It is not always easy because we don't like the struggles and suffering. The next time you’re having a Job Season, pray that God would keep you safe, watch over your children, heal your sick friend, feed the hungry, and ease the pain of those who suffer. Also pray that He would open your eyes to what He is doing in our world in and through some of the adversities that come your way.
Brenda Shuttlesworth
Minister of Administration and Church Ministries
