Editor’s
journey
When
nothing goes right
SPRINGFIELD,
MO. — Have
you ever felt like Job, as if everything in your life was going wrong? I recently
met someone like that. His life had been ravaged by pain and disappointment.
Despair and fear had set in and any hope for peace and relief was waning.
After
unfolding his incredible story, he asked, “What have I done to deserve
this? What can I do? I’m not sure I can take much more.”
“First,”
I replied, “remember that trials aren’t necessarily the result
of your sin or disobedience. In fact, sometimes difficulty is the byproduct
of faithfulness; you’ve simply come under an attack of the enemy. Secondly,
remember that you are not facing this trial alone. God is with you —
and you will make it.”
Our conversation
was a reminder that many believers are under duress today and don’t
know what to do. At times, they feel isolated, vulnerable and perhaps even
responsible for their trial.
But here
are five principles you can live by when nothing seems to be going right:
1. Remain
faithful to prayer, Bible reading and church attendance.
2. Allow
others to share your burden by inviting them to pray with you.
3. Don’t
take out your pain on others, but rather, be a living example of perseverance
and righteousness.
4. Don’t
make matters worse by making poor decisions. If necessary, stand still.
5. Stay positive,
thanking God for ultimate victory.
Job 42:12
says, “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than
the first” (NIV).
Each morning,
before you roll out of bed, ask the Lord to do the same thing for you.
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