As a young child, my (career military) dad would often say this to me – perhaps some of you have heard this saying at one time or another. Now, don’t get me wrong, the lesson he was trying to teach me, I believe, was not to sit idle and wait for miracles or wait for others to create them for me without personal purpose or drive. This is an important lesson to be sure!
As life has gone on, I have learned (I hope) a few lessons; dealt with losses of loved ones, navigated divorce, health issues and single parenting. During these tumultuous times, it occurred to me that the saying was a bit flawed in my opinion… I began to lean heavily into faith as I rode through the storms of life; sometimes, not gracefully AT ALL – I pictured me starting at the top of a water slide and trying to hold on to faith and sanity as I gained speed, plummeting into the pool – ANXIOUS as I awaited the BIG SPLASH!
Does God only give us what we can handle, or does He help us handle what this world gives us? Throughout the storms of life, I became acutely aware, it is NOT UP TO ME – IT IS UP TO HIM! Faith is what carries us through our struggles, whether they are as simple as a fender bender on the way home, the loss of a job or the loss of a relationship, a parent, a child. He will NEVER leave you or forsake you! Philippians 4:6-7 ESV “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Our Father did not intend us to have the world we do, but He will help us, walk beside us, even carry us through the difficult times. Have FAITH that He will guide you through those difficult times and through ALL times! Isaiah 41:10 ESV “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Trust and have faith that our gracious Father will take our problems, our losses, our struggles and weave them into something BEAUTIFUL!! John 3:16-17 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”