Dealing With The Unexpected Challenges of Life -- part 2

Last week we started our discussion of the topic “Dealing with the Unexpected Challenges of Life.”  If you did not read that introductory entry, please do that first before moving forward with today’s discussion. That background information will help you understand the premise of this series.

We left off last week with the statement that our God has a history of comforting His people. This truth is invaluable for us to stand upon, especially as we are faced with “unexpected” challenges.

Isaiah 43: 1-2 (ESV) But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel:  Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Those verses are some of my favorites! How assuring it is to know that my God promises to protect, comfort, strengthen, and guide those who love Him – those who have a personal relationship with Him.

His Word confirms to us repeatedly that no matter what we go through, He is always on our side. He is always with us.

Romans 8: 3b – If God is for us, who can be against us?

Hebrews 13: 5 reminds us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

These truths are comforting and foundational when we face the unexpected, aren’t they?

In a similar vein, another promise we have from the Word of God when we face the unexpected is this:  God is in control. Always. He is never surprised!

Wow! That is both powerful and comforting. My God is not surprised about the unexpected challenge that has just come my way!

I have always considered Romans 8: 28 as my “life verse.”  I can’t tell you how many times I have declared it over challenges and situations that came my way where I had no idea why it happened or how I was going to get through what I was unexpectedly facing.

Romans 8: 28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

For me personally, this is one of the most positive and uplifting verses of the New Testament. This verse has been my “rock” – my “bottom line” – so many times in my life. It is a promise from God to those who are committed to Him, that nothing will happen in their lives that God is not overseeing -- nothing. That is good to know, isn’t it?

Sometimes (many times) we may not understand God’s plan, but He is still in control and working everything out for our good and His glory. He is not surprised what is taking place and He is in full control. He always has a plan! I learned early on in my Christian walk that MY assignment during unexpected challenging times was to stay IN FAITH, believing in HIM to work out all “the things” for good.

We will continue next week by exploring this question:  Lord, why is this happening to me? Have those words ever come out of your mouth? Of course they have! Let’s talk about this further next week.

Blessings to you all and remember, God has a history of comforting His people. That’s you and me! And He also is never surprised. He always has plans set in place to work all things together for our good.

Rev. Nola Beintema