"God At Work"

When people suffer, they somehow start thinking God does not care or He is not in control. For many, (I am speaking to those in Christ), suffering sends them into a state of panic or depression. In speaking with them, they have the same "You will never know how I feel unless you walk in my shoes." attitude. It's just another reason for them to stay in their down-trodden mind set. Please understand, I am very sensitive to people when they are suffering pain in their own bodies or lives or the loss of a loved one. The problem is we always look how things affect us and that blinds us to God and what He is doing. Simply put, people want a explanation as to 'why' in their situations.

Jesus cries out on the cross to God, His Father, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt. 27:46) Despite His pain and loneliness, He calls on His God. Man took everything from Him, His rights, His privacy and His life, and yet they could not take away His faith. Following the crying out, the words came, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." (Luke 23:46) Victory in the face of death! He trusted! God had given His Son into the hands of sinful man and Jesus trusted Himself to God for His victory. Isn't this what God is trying to get us to see in Rom. 8:28? All things do work together for good to those who love the Lord and look to His purposes! Isn't that what God assures us in Rom. 8:31-32? God is for us! Why do we think like He is against us?

John sent disciples to the Lord wanting to know if He was the One they were looking for. At that moment, Jesus cured many of diseases, afflictions and evil spirits. (Luke 7:18-23) They go back to John, who is in prison, and share with him the miracles they just witnessed. John is given no explanations, but a simple lesson stating: "TRUST ME!" Jesus with all His power never once offered to release John from his prison cell and surrounding circumstances. John was beheaded! He went from a prison cell as a common criminal to the eternal presence of our glorious Father. Jesus said 'NO' to John's suffering, wanting him to simply trust and brought him so much more than he ever expected.

Where does all this leave us? Either a trusting faith or a hopeless mess! God has more in mind than alleviating our present hurts and suffering. God has eternity in mind. We have a few years on this earth in mind! Jesus suffered for our eternal benefit and everything we go through, every hurt, every dissapointment, every loss is wrapped around that God is for us and will cause each and every difficulty to work for our good if we will just love and trust Him. We need to hush, stop all the drama and thinking "why me?" and simply trust, listen and obey...God is at work!