Originally published February 16, 2011
Why is it so easy to remember and trust that God is in control when life is going well or even in the day to day routine of life? And yet when trauma happens, something that catches me so off guard that I feel stunned, suddenly I start to doubt? Not to say that I don’t “know” in your head and heart that Christ is in control; but that in that stunned, shaken and emotional state, where I feel like evil has the upper hand, my subconscious doesn’t go to that mindset of “God’s will be done”- no, instead it falls back to the panic-stricken and terrified survival mode. It may just be a personal flaw, or maybe I am part of a minority, or maybe it is from having only a few years of experience in walking, or should I say, doing my best to walk with Jesus.
Instead of feeling panicked, terrified or victimized shouldn’t I be thinking “God is in control” and “His will be done” no matter what the outcome is for me? The kingdom of God being furthered is so much more important than my minute time here on earth.
The kingdom of God being furthered is so much more important than my minute time here on earth.
“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” Psalm 103:14-16
After all isn’t that the whole point? Flaws? What about the other person? Instead of seeing the evil that is controlling them in that moment shouldn’t I be thinking that they are just a flawed person like me? A fellow sinner. God loves them just as much as He loves me, whether that love is reciprocated or not. A fellow human who also needs Jesus and desperately requires His grace.
“With Him were crucified, not two of His followers, but two murderers. But they all stood beneath the cross, enemies and believers, doubters and cowards, revilers and devoted followers. His prayer, in that hour, and His forgiveness, was meant for them all, and for all their sins. The mercy and love of God are at work even in the midst of His enemies.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
After all, we are called to love like Jesus and leave the judging to God and His perfect justice.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9
And so I will sign off with a verse that seems to keep surfacing for me during this time.
“So we can confidently say, ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6