For Your Own Good!

John fell in love (or so he thought) with a beautiful girl named Joy. He was all in; it seemed like bliss all the way, the excitements, adventures, and anticipations. One day, several months into the relationship, he was trying to jump a ride home; he saw Joy’s car approaching. He leaped in anticipation, but the car whizzed past with another guy at the wheel. The worst part was that she waved gaily as they rushed by. You could imagine the disappointment and betrayal.

Everyone has been betrayed by someone at one point or the other, some more profoundly than others. Betrayal is a violation that strikes at the core of our being; to make ourselves vulnerable and entrust our wellbeing to another, only to be harmed by those on whom our hopes were set, is among the worst pain of human experience

Sometimes the way God treats us feels like betrayal. We find ourselves in a dangerous world, unable to arrange for the water our thirsty souls so desperately need. Our rope will not take the bucket to the bottom of the well. We know God has the ability to draw water for us. However, oftentimes he will not. We feel wronged. We ask, “Do you care for me, God?”

It is easy to praise God when things are going our way. However, hard time can be real test of faith. They can push us away from God, or they can send us running, like children into the father’s arms. Stress, anxiety and grief can open our lives to spiritual attack. Satan may tell us that God has abandoned us, that He does not care or that we were better off before becoming Christians. 

This is when we need to cling to God’s promises. Sometimes those truths are hard to believe when we reach toward God in faith; He will guide us through our darkest hours. He knows what we are going through and is beside us every step of the way whether or not we can feel Him.

God is the Storyteller. He is the director of the story of our lives. He has the script; He knows the end from the beginning. Just like someone that has watched a football match or movie before and it is being replayed. Someone who has not seen it  before would shout at every goal attempt  but since you know the outcome already, you are never moved.

The author (God) lies behind and beyond. He has watched the movie of our lives and knows the storyline by heart. His omniscience and omnipotence makes Him the mastermind behind the story. Just trust Him and He will come good for you.

He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

(Romans 8:27-29, MSG)