Everyone develops their “life goals” or their career path at some point. I suspect that at least half of us end up in a different place than our plan or via a different route to get there. Some people live one day at a time and do not consider long-term goals. One almost certain thing, things that were not part of the plan will happen. The impact of those unplanned events can be depressing and cause you to question your ability to reach your goals. The feeling of failure can be overwhelming and take away your joy.
When we find ourselves in seasons of loss, disappointment, and our dreams and visions (even those God has given us) seem lost and as though we have gone beyond hope for repair or restoration, it is here that we come face to face with Jesus.
Trust is valuable and beautiful to the person giving it to others; however, it cuts like a knife when the person receiving it abuses that trust. A normal reaction can be to blame yourself or to no longer trust anyone. Apostle Matthew records what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45 NIV
The first lesson is that any hate or bitterness we feel towards those who have betrayed us will only affect our ability to move forward and see where God wants us to go next. The second lesson we need to remember is that good and bad things happen to both good and bad people. Our lives will consist of events that help us reach our destiny. We hope that most of those will be happy events, but we also need to believe God’s word when He says:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
The lives of the apostles provide a bleak picture of the difficulties they endured as messengers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They also demonstrate their love and commitment to share that news. Patience is not something that God gives us when we ask for it, rather it is built as you travel through the storm you want to go away. God does not bring all those storms into our lives, but He can use them to help you to know what you can do. Never question if God has a plan for your life or place any limits on how He can use you.
Your future may involve someone or several, who find themselves dealing with similar problems but without a relationship with Jesus.
Trust in Jesus
Cristy Lane – Footprints In The Sand
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