I believe that when we live our lives focused on God, we can be certain that everything leads to where God needs us. Every circumstance, opportunity, moment builds to a climax to bring together His perfect will.
Whether or not we perceive the situations as positive – be they hard or unfortunate in our eyes – I truly believe that we can find a certain peace knowing that God has been shaping each moment to bring us specifically here.
I think this is especially important to remember in situations where we struggle. Perhaps pain or frustration is involved. But when we can surrender our perceived expectations and lean into God’s perfect lead, we will find relief and rest no matter the circumstance.
We Can’t Go Back
Things happen in life that can be difficult. Arguments, misunderstandings, injuries, etc. It is vital that we learn from them and press on, determined to do better moving forward and releasing what is passed. We can’t go back, so fretting and punishing ourselves accomplishes nothing but letting the enemy in to mess with our mind.
The enemy shows up in the fears that play in our head. The arguments that remind us of all the ways we failed and how we’ve messed up. And yet Paul wrote about forgetting what is passed and pressing on towards what is ahead. We can’t go back, but what we can do is learn and determine how to better handle scenarios in the future.
To me, that is a game changer – determining a better response or how to better navigate situations that led to something that I perceive as undesirable. I pray and ponder how to learn from the situation, and then I commit to ways to improve to the best of my understanding.
And though we are human and work with a limited understanding, we can be certain that when we ask for direction and wisdom, God will give it. Be patient, seek Him, and He will direct your way. And if you are thinking that He hasn’t yet, let me remind you that it is your job to keep asking. His timeline is not our timeline. Rest in the knowledge that He’s got the details and that everything leads to where God needs us.
All Things Work For Our Good
When we keep our focus on God, all things work together for our good. What an amazing comfort that is to remember! Through the trials and victories, God has the details and navigates things perfectly. It is mind blowing to consider what an amazing plan He has.
As the days unfold and life happens, so to speak, we can rest knowing that things don’t happen to us, but rather for us. For our character development, for our good, for our opportunities to grow closer to God. Surrendering to what God has for us doesn’t mean becoming complacent, but rather accepting the grace God so generously gives us.
Think about it for a minute – what honors God better, to search out a situation and pray to understand it and handle it better in the future? Or to kick and scream and fight it and declare how unfair it is? We are an imperfect people serving a perfect God. I can guarantee God is not the one at fault.
It is so important to understand that hard situations are not punishment. In my opinion, punishment comes when we knowingly do something wrong. But if our hearts are aligned with God, ideally we are pursuing what He has before us. This takes difficult situations and gives us the opportunity to grow and prosper from them!
Everything Leads to Where God Needs Us
A rather profound truth I’ve grown to realize is that the hardest things lead to the best things. And I think this is true. Christ dying on the cross for us is in my mind the hardest thing to comprehend. It was definitely not due to any sin of His own, but rather on behalf of all of us that He endured such a horrific death.
But then His resurrection was beyond profoundly wonderful and incredible! Beyond comprehension even! And I think that is often how life flows. Hard things aren’t something to fear or resist. But rather to put on the full armor of God and step into courageously and triumphantly, eager to see how God is going to show Himself strong through it!
And that’s how I want to live my life. Willing to navigate the difficult and seemingly undesirable moments that life can bring with courage and grace, expectantly hopeful of what God will bring on the other side of it!
Scripture says that when we honor God, He will honor us. And when we lose things walking along our path for God, Isaiah says that God will restore double of what we lost. Not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who God is! Merciful, generous, loving, forgiving, etc.
Take Courage
Everything leads to where God needs us. He is in control, He is well able, and He has all the details. Rest in that knowledge. Keep the faith of His incredible power and ability. Take courage and rest in Him.
Until Next Time!
Hope.