In My Face

Think of those times in life when things are going pretty well. Life is mostly good. It’s fun to look forward to what tomorrow brings.
Now picture these villainous items:

• You are playing with one of those wooden paddles with a rubber ball attached to it via an elastic string. You hit it just a little off course and, “bam!”, the ball is in your face!
• You have great plans for tomorrow and the next few days. You are eagerly thinking about it as you bite down on a piece of hard candy and, “bam!”, broken tooth, loose filling, or broken crown.
• You are looking forward to some family events when you learn that someone (maybe you?) has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition requiring surgery, a cast, or chemo. Suddenly, your plans have drastically changed.

 
Is there something happening in your life that feels a little like one of the three scenarios above?
Who asked for this? Who needs it? Do you want to ask God why He would allow something like this to happen to you? Would you like to explain to God why this course of events is not good?
It’s okay to disagree with God sometimes, and even be a little bit angry. He can handle it. God makes many promises to us, but a fun-filled, stress-free, happy life is not one of them.

“’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 hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Yes, God promises to take care of us but that doesn’t mean He puts us in a safety bubble for protection. We still navigate challenges with His guidance and direction. Nor does He sit around and think up difficult things to put us through.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)
Sometimes we don’t see blessings for what they are until more time has passed. Then, we tend to see how God has been at work in our lives all along the path.