How can one say God makes sense when we face so many challenges and difficulties in life? We pray and fast but yet it feels like He is far away or does not here us. We build a strong faith and put our hope in Him yet we don't see Him come to our rescue when we need Him most or want him to.
In our heads, it's the kind of future we wanna have, the kind of spouses we want and need, the kind of homes we crave to have, the dreams and visions we want to pursue and achieve but each time we try, we fail and don't see our dreams come to pass as soon as we want it or how we want it. We pray and possibly fast to achieve this but to no avail and we say God makes sense?
We see our peers making it at every ramification of life, but for us, it seems there is no way out like it isn't the same God we proclaim created everyone. You see yourself as very alright and having all that is needed to accomplish that which you desire but to know avail yet we say God makes sense?
We ask and its not given to us like we want,
We seek Him, but can't find Him or feel His presence,
We knock the door like He asks us too but the door wouldn't open.
(Mathew 6:7-8)
We go through different kind of pains like going broke, having too much lacks and wants, falling sick, losing jobs, having failed relationships, losing loved ones and so on and through all these, we cry but relief for the pains we go through seem far away and the pains seem never ending.
There are times we even go from bad to worse and even seemingly impossible situations that we find it hard believing God loves us or that He makes sense.
But I'm here to tell you that God sure does makes sense. In fact, He makes the bestest😄 sense you can ever imagine or think of. He makes the kind of sense that when He finally answers your prayers doing what He knows is best for you and when or what time He does it, you become grateful and full of excitement that He did it His own way and at His own time.
God allows us go through certain trials, temptations or challenges that turns out to be a great inspiring and encouraging story to others through our testimonies but most of all brings glory to His name.
Let's take John 11 as a case study. In this chapter is the story of Lazarus, a friend to Jesus who was sick but later died as a result of the sickness and wouldn't have died is Jesus showed up when He was informed of Lazarus's ill health.
Jesus to Martha, Mary and Lazarus was more like a family friend to these siblings. In parts of the scripture, you see Jesus spending time with this family.
In Luke 10:38-42, we see Jesus spending time with these two sisters. While Mary was listening to His teachings, Martha was busy preparing food. It was this same Martha who poured perfume on the feet of Jesus and used her hair to wipe the feet of Jesus.
From verse 4, Jesus was informed of Lazarus's death and like it would naturally be, it was expected that Jesus, like the family friend He is, should rush down to heal His friend Lazarus from the sickness but rather He stayed two days more where He was before going to Judea to see Lazarus.
Mary and Martha were no exception in expecting Jesus to yield to their cry at that point in time just as we expect same from God when we pray and ask for something. We want Him to yield to our cries and give us answers immediately.
Reading down the chapter, Jesus knowing what He is doing, said to his disciples that this sickness will not end in death and that it would at the end glorify God and He, Jesus would be glorified through it.
Arriving Judea, Jesus found out Lazarus has been dead for four days now and is in the tomb. Martha hearing Jesus was around, went to Him and said to Him " If you had been here, my brother would not have died but I know that even now God will give you what ever you ask" ( verse 21-23). Martha kindly expressed her displeasure but yet hopeful and trusts that God can still perform a miracle.
Mary on seeing Jesus, also said to Him what her sister, Martha had told Him. Jesus moved by their tears and that of the Jews who had come to mourn with the bereaved sisters, went to the Tomb of Lazarus and called Him forth alive even as Lazarus was stinking.
God still performs miracles even in situations that seem impossible. In some cases, He performs instant miracles like the healing of the leper in Mark 1: 40-45, raising of the dead in Luke 7: 11-17, Luke 8:52-56, healing of the Centurion's servant in Luke 7: 1-10. while in some, He delays for a purpose like the story of Lazarus. Delay they say, its not denial. God knows the exact time to grant you the request you seek.
What do you do if in your own case, it's a delayed response from God?
1. Respond with faith and not fear. Fear can be seen as False Evidence Appearing Real, while Faith in Hebrews 11:1 is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Fear tells you its impossible: so God does not make sense when He tells you with Him all things are possible ( Mathew 19:26). While faith tells you its very much possible thereby increasing and building your patience and faith in God.
2. Keep your focus on God and not on the problem or challenge you are facing at the time. Focusing on the problem brings in more fear leading to depression and anxiety while focusing on God and His word gives you hope. See the positive outcome of the challenge. One positive out come of every challenge is that you come out stronger and better than you were before. You become more refined and beautiful like a gold that has gone through fire. And in the end, you develop a great virtue called patience.
3. Believe God loves you and trust He has a better plan for you. " For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). The plans of God for your life are far better than the what you want for yourself.
4. Believe in God's timing to perfect all that concerns you. Trust God to make it right and better at the end of it all. It doesn't matter what is happening around you or what your contemporaries are achieving in life, know that your time is coming and it's very close. God has you in mind and He is working for your good. He will make all things beautiful in His time. ( Ecclesiastic 3:12).
5. Know that you are not alone even when physically it seems you are alone. God is with you always and through it all. " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is always with you where ever you go." (Joshua 1:9).
"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." (Isaiah 41:10).
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23: 4).
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2).
The above mentioned scriptures are passages that let you know that God is always with you and sees all that you pass through.
6. Know and believe God still works miracles and your case is no exception. When things seem to be going wrong and don't seem to make sense, be rest assured that with God all things are possible. (Mathew 9:26).
The simple fact that you are still alive is a enough reason to be hopeful that you will scale through this challenge. Be grateful to God for seeing each day, the air you breath in and the roof over your head. These are little miracles to be appreciative to God about. When you appreciate God for the little things you see, He will do bigger ones for you.
7.When things seem to go wrong or senseless, Know that God has a perfect plan for you which He will bring to pass at the perfect time. He says;
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's timing as stated earlier, is the best and you wouldn't want to miss His timing for anything. He gives His perfect gift at the best time and when He does, your trial days become history or a story to tell. It would look like you never went through such hard times.
God takes His time to bring His perfect plan to pass in your life and not when you want it. At this point of waiting, is when you get trained to build your faith and patience in Him.
So, when it seems God doesn't make sense especially when you keep the faith and nothing happens just know that God is up to something and not just anything but something big. Every challenge is a push to a glorious ending and for God's purpose to be accomplished in our lives.
We may not feel, see or understand He is working but He is always working on our behalf. His plan is greater and more glorious than we can ever imagine or comprehend. Stay strong.
Quote for the day - " Faith is trusting God even when life doesn't make sense." - Joel Osteen
In our heads, it's the kind of future we wanna have, the kind of spouses we want and need, the kind of homes we crave to have, the dreams and visions we want to pursue and achieve but each time we try, we fail and don't see our dreams come to pass as soon as we want it or how we want it. We pray and possibly fast to achieve this but to no avail and we say God makes sense?
We see our peers making it at every ramification of life, but for us, it seems there is no way out like it isn't the same God we proclaim created everyone. You see yourself as very alright and having all that is needed to accomplish that which you desire but to know avail yet we say God makes sense?
We ask and its not given to us like we want,
We seek Him, but can't find Him or feel His presence,
We knock the door like He asks us too but the door wouldn't open.
(Mathew 6:7-8)
We go through different kind of pains like going broke, having too much lacks and wants, falling sick, losing jobs, having failed relationships, losing loved ones and so on and through all these, we cry but relief for the pains we go through seem far away and the pains seem never ending.
There are times we even go from bad to worse and even seemingly impossible situations that we find it hard believing God loves us or that He makes sense.
But I'm here to tell you that God sure does makes sense. In fact, He makes the bestest😄 sense you can ever imagine or think of. He makes the kind of sense that when He finally answers your prayers doing what He knows is best for you and when or what time He does it, you become grateful and full of excitement that He did it His own way and at His own time.
God allows us go through certain trials, temptations or challenges that turns out to be a great inspiring and encouraging story to others through our testimonies but most of all brings glory to His name.
Let's take John 11 as a case study. In this chapter is the story of Lazarus, a friend to Jesus who was sick but later died as a result of the sickness and wouldn't have died is Jesus showed up when He was informed of Lazarus's ill health.
Jesus to Martha, Mary and Lazarus was more like a family friend to these siblings. In parts of the scripture, you see Jesus spending time with this family.
In Luke 10:38-42, we see Jesus spending time with these two sisters. While Mary was listening to His teachings, Martha was busy preparing food. It was this same Martha who poured perfume on the feet of Jesus and used her hair to wipe the feet of Jesus.
From verse 4, Jesus was informed of Lazarus's death and like it would naturally be, it was expected that Jesus, like the family friend He is, should rush down to heal His friend Lazarus from the sickness but rather He stayed two days more where He was before going to Judea to see Lazarus.
Mary and Martha were no exception in expecting Jesus to yield to their cry at that point in time just as we expect same from God when we pray and ask for something. We want Him to yield to our cries and give us answers immediately.
Reading down the chapter, Jesus knowing what He is doing, said to his disciples that this sickness will not end in death and that it would at the end glorify God and He, Jesus would be glorified through it.
Arriving Judea, Jesus found out Lazarus has been dead for four days now and is in the tomb. Martha hearing Jesus was around, went to Him and said to Him " If you had been here, my brother would not have died but I know that even now God will give you what ever you ask" ( verse 21-23). Martha kindly expressed her displeasure but yet hopeful and trusts that God can still perform a miracle.
Mary on seeing Jesus, also said to Him what her sister, Martha had told Him. Jesus moved by their tears and that of the Jews who had come to mourn with the bereaved sisters, went to the Tomb of Lazarus and called Him forth alive even as Lazarus was stinking.
God still performs miracles even in situations that seem impossible. In some cases, He performs instant miracles like the healing of the leper in Mark 1: 40-45, raising of the dead in Luke 7: 11-17, Luke 8:52-56, healing of the Centurion's servant in Luke 7: 1-10. while in some, He delays for a purpose like the story of Lazarus. Delay they say, its not denial. God knows the exact time to grant you the request you seek.
What do you do if in your own case, it's a delayed response from God?
1. Respond with faith and not fear. Fear can be seen as False Evidence Appearing Real, while Faith in Hebrews 11:1 is the assurance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
Fear tells you its impossible: so God does not make sense when He tells you with Him all things are possible ( Mathew 19:26). While faith tells you its very much possible thereby increasing and building your patience and faith in God.
2. Keep your focus on God and not on the problem or challenge you are facing at the time. Focusing on the problem brings in more fear leading to depression and anxiety while focusing on God and His word gives you hope. See the positive outcome of the challenge. One positive out come of every challenge is that you come out stronger and better than you were before. You become more refined and beautiful like a gold that has gone through fire. And in the end, you develop a great virtue called patience.
3. Believe God loves you and trust He has a better plan for you. " For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11). The plans of God for your life are far better than the what you want for yourself.
4. Believe in God's timing to perfect all that concerns you. Trust God to make it right and better at the end of it all. It doesn't matter what is happening around you or what your contemporaries are achieving in life, know that your time is coming and it's very close. God has you in mind and He is working for your good. He will make all things beautiful in His time. ( Ecclesiastic 3:12).
5. Know that you are not alone even when physically it seems you are alone. God is with you always and through it all. " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is always with you where ever you go." (Joshua 1:9).
"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." (Isaiah 41:10).
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23: 4).
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:2).
The above mentioned scriptures are passages that let you know that God is always with you and sees all that you pass through.
6. Know and believe God still works miracles and your case is no exception. When things seem to be going wrong and don't seem to make sense, be rest assured that with God all things are possible. (Mathew 9:26).
The simple fact that you are still alive is a enough reason to be hopeful that you will scale through this challenge. Be grateful to God for seeing each day, the air you breath in and the roof over your head. These are little miracles to be appreciative to God about. When you appreciate God for the little things you see, He will do bigger ones for you.
7.When things seem to go wrong or senseless, Know that God has a perfect plan for you which He will bring to pass at the perfect time. He says;
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11).
God's timing as stated earlier, is the best and you wouldn't want to miss His timing for anything. He gives His perfect gift at the best time and when He does, your trial days become history or a story to tell. It would look like you never went through such hard times.
God takes His time to bring His perfect plan to pass in your life and not when you want it. At this point of waiting, is when you get trained to build your faith and patience in Him.
So, when it seems God doesn't make sense especially when you keep the faith and nothing happens just know that God is up to something and not just anything but something big. Every challenge is a push to a glorious ending and for God's purpose to be accomplished in our lives.
We may not feel, see or understand He is working but He is always working on our behalf. His plan is greater and more glorious than we can ever imagine or comprehend. Stay strong.
Quote for the day - " Faith is trusting God even when life doesn't make sense." - Joel Osteen
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