God is in Control

In the midst of all that life has to offer (both good and bad), it is important for us to remember that God is in control.  This realization can lead us to ask questions such as "why is God allowing this to happen?" or "how can a good God allow such evil in the world?" 

I am certainly not pretending to know all of the answers and these are questions I have asked myself from time to time, especially during the particularly difficult times.  Often I have looked up to Heaven and said, "Ok, God...come on now!  Give me a break!"

Then I remember....this is the same God who spoke this world into being.  He knit each and every one of us together in our mother's womb.  He gave his only son to come to this earth in human flesh as a living sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.  God LOVES us, and he loves us unconditionally.  He has a perfect plan for each and every one of us.  We may not always understand that plan.  We may question the plan.  But at some point we will see the culmination of that plan....if not on this earth, then in Heaven.

When I look back over my life so far, there have been many times when I have cried out to God in anguish...questioning.  During these times I could never see how anything positive could ever come from what was happening.  But each and every time, God turned pain into promise, turned tears into joy, turned my weakness into strength.

I was the victim of ongoing sexual abuse from the age of 11 to 18.  At times I wanted to die.  Instead I began to read Psalms, and in those words I found comfort.  During this time, I just knew that I was going to use my suffering to help others going through a similar experience one day.  I believe God planted this in my heart, mind, and soul as a means of coping and turning my pain into promise.  As an adult, I was able to do this in working with abused and neglected children as well as homeless pregnant girls.  Had I never experienced such trauma, I don't believe I would have had the understanding to truly be empathetic with these children and their situations.

There have been other instances where I have tried to fix certain situations in my life and failed miserably time after time.  Eventually, I would just "let go and let God"...telling Him he would have to fix it.  And He did...every single time.

Do you trust God with all of the circumstances of your life?  If not, perhaps it is time to try.  He is faithful and His love is without end.