Devotional Day 4: What Is Going On With My Life?
Scriptures
Genesis 45:1-15
Genesis 50:20
Philippians 4:4-7
My dad passed away when I was very young after a treacherous battle with pancreatic cancer. Growing up, I never knew what it was like to hear my dad say, "I love you, kid. I'm so proud of you. I believe in you." When daddy-daughter dances happened at school, it was like a dagger in my heart all over again… another reminder that I wasn't like other kids and that I would never have the kind of family that they had.
For years I asked God, "Why?". "Why did my dad have to die? What did I do to deserve this? Why didn't You heal him from cancer?" The questions just kept going on and on. Over time, I have discovered that it's okay to ask God why and it's okay to ask Him questions. Most people that God used in great ways had questions. Job did. Moses did. David did. Peter did. Gideon did.
God can handle my questions, but I have to be okay with not always getting the answer that I want or expect. When I'm facing a challenging situation, I've learned to shift how I ask God questions because some answers are too big for my finite, human, earthly understanding. Rather than asking God WHY, I've learned to ask Him WHAT…
"God, WHAT do you want to do in me during this season? How can I be more like Jesus through this? How are you using this situation to deepen my dependence on you?".
This is a really hard approach to take, especially when we're in deep pain. Some of us may get clear answers on this side of heaven, others may not. When we don't get the answers we so desperately want, we must learn to shift our perspective about our situation and trust that amidst all our questions, HE is the answer.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that peace is possible through prayer. According to Philippians 4:7, God can give us His peace that surpasses all understanding which will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This means that peace is possible, even in the midst of situations that we can't fathom or figure out.
One of the questions I hear so often is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?". Truth is, bad things happen to good people, and good things sometimes happen to bad people. Why? Because we live in a fallen, sin-filled world and satan seeks to destroy the saints. One day, Jesus is coming back and He will right all wrongs, wipe every tear from our faces, and reign forever more in glory, but in the meantime, we are caught between "the already and the not yet." While we're caught in the middle, let's ask God to help us see our situation through His perspective because when we do, peace is sure to follow.
In Genesis 50:20 Joseph tells his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." In the same way, what the enemy meant for evil in your life, God can turn for good if you allow Him to shift your perspective of the situation!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, open the eyes of my understanding according to Ephesians 1:8. Help me see Your hand working out a glorious masterpiece in the middle of what feels like a mess right now. Forgive me for not trusting You and for blaming You for the consequences of sin in this world. I lay down any fear, anxiety, worry, or confusion that I've been carrying at the feet of Jesus. Thank You that You are working things for my good and Your glory. I believe that what the enemy meant for evil in my life, you are turning for good. In Jesus name, Amen.
