When we decide to follow Jesus, He doesn’t promise us that life will all of a sudden be a bed of roses. Some people paint a picture that a life in Jesus is full of joy and happiness all the time. Well, a life in Christ is characterized by that, but it’s not that way all the time. Job 5:7 says, “As surely as sparks fly upward, so a man was born for adversity.” If you are human, you are going to deal with hard times, whether you are a follower of Christ or not.
Last week, my family and I found ourselves in the middle of a crisis. I was in my office plowing through some Summer scheduling for the youth group and received a phone call that my youngest son had fallen into a fire and burnt his hand. I then took him to our family doctor to find out that this was no sunburn! He had a very serious burn that required special attention because of his age and because it was his hand. So, Joanna and I took Luke down to a hospital and burn unit in the Twin Cities. Well to make matters worse, two blocks from the hospital, our mini-van broke down and wouldn’t start. Joanna and Luke had to walk and check into the hospital by themselves and I was left to call a tow truck.
Now, someone who isn’t walking with the Lord, would take the opportunity in that auto mechanic waiting area to shake their fist at God and question Him. There would be others who would hear of our story and think, “Where is God in that situation?” “How could God allow this terrible thing to happen to such nice people?” “If they love Jesus and serve Jesus, then why would He put them through that?”
I remember sitting in the waiting area of the repair shop and crying out to God, I said, “God reveal Yourself to me!” Through prayer, God’s presence and love came rushing in like a river into my soul. I felt an overwhelming strength and faith knowing that God had everything under control. I was reminded of James 1 that says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Notice the word, whenever. It doesn’t say if you face trials, it says when you face trials. No matter how strong your faith in Jesus is, trials will surely come. God uses those trials to build our faith.
I heard a statement one time from a pastor that has stuck with me to today, “Nothing that is under God’s control is ever out of control.” No matter how difficult life can seem sometimes, God is sovereign and He has everything under control. God is right in the middle of every circumstance we face and He allowed it to happen. I could write another article on all that God did in our lives because of this trial. The answer to the question, “Where’s God?” is “There’s God!” He will never leave you or forsake you!
