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He answers
Over the last couple of years I have seen my family, friends, fellow church members and countless others face struggles that we did not anticipate having to face. I know many people who have lost there jobs, taken steep pay cuts, lost their homes, had possessions repossessed and faced countless other struggles of this kind. Some have to make the choice of whether to pay the heat bill or buy groceries. My nephew graduates college this year with no real prospects for a job. Day after day, politicians in the news make promises of recovery, with no real evidence it will happen any time soon.
There are times in our lives when it feels like we are out here on our own and doing everything we can just to keep our lives afloat. It seems like there are not enough hours in the day or energy in our bodies to do what it takes to get through. But the truth is that we are not alone nor do we have to do anything by ourselves. God does not want us to agonize over our situations, he wants us to ask for help. He wants to be involved in our lives. He wants us to depend on him. That is what fathers are for and that is who he wants to be to us.
In the midst of all of this worldly carnage there have been the miracle answers to prayer. A couple who have for years prayed for a child get the call from the adoption agency with the news that a soon-to-be teen mom has selected them to provide the home and life that she is unable to. Another family, who is preparing to move away from the home they love for a job to help make ends meet, gets the news that there is a job that will allow them to stay. A long prayed-for brother finally makes the decision to accept Christ as his lord and savior. A relative fighting an overseas war makes it home safe and sound. This is how God answers prayers and he does answer them.
Ever meet anyone who without one pause says “everything” is just wonderful. I have, and it is hard for me to believe them. Perhaps it is true that their life is perfect, but common human experience belies their smile. Maybe like Job, they tire (they groan?) of friends preaching to them in their pain. How many times do people ask me, “How’s it going?” and I respond “Great,” when in fact there’s all kinds of stuff going on that I’m anxious about as much as they are. It’s certainly more convenient to pass up painful discussion and to order up some polite conversation for the next person in line.
At best life is a struggle, and I think I understand that it’s there we actually get to meet God. Suffering defined Christ. (Isaiah 53) But so does victory! (John 16:33) So the verse in Philippians Frank quoted here comes to my mind very frequently. It keeps me from despair. Jesus knows our weakness, but He actually did something about it.
Remembering is a huge component of faith. God has been good. God is good. God will be good. Thanks for helping me build today’s altar.
Frank God is Great, casting all our cares upon him, what a mighty God. Bless his holy name.
Thanks Frank for your words of encouragement. I agree with Jon that we must remember the goodness of God and remember the heart aches that God has triumphed in. God is good and does answer prayer. Worry or pray my choice is prayer.