When
counseling/encouraging someone frustrated by
events in their lives, point out that all of the
difficulties and frustrations in our lives must
be considered in light of three unchangeable
realities:
- They are caused
by sin in the world (general sin, your sin or
sins of others)
- God directs His
help for you based upon His specific plan for
your future. Fighting His plan will only
prolong your pain.
- "For I
know the plans I have for you,” declares
the LORD, “. . . plans to give you
hope and a future." (Jeremiah
29:11)
- “But
those who wait on the Lord will renew
their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
– Isaiah 40:31
- “Who is
wise? Let them realize these things. Who
is discerning? Let them understand. The
ways of the Lord are right; the
righteous walk in them, but the
rebellious stumble in them.” –
Hosea 14:9
- We also
glory in our sufferings, because we know
that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character,
hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
- God's ultimate
plan for your future is your eternal life,
bought by the blood of Christ. To ensure
this, God may point you in a direction
temporarily filled with frustration.
- "[God] is not
willing that any should perish but that
all should come to repentance". (2 Peter 3:9)
A good
example of how God works in our lives is
found in the Bible story of Joseph (Genesis
37-50).
- Joseph was sold
into slavery by his own brothers - his
misfortune was caused by their sin (and also
due to his own sinful arrogance towards them).
- Through a series
of temporary blessings, followed by more
apparent misfortunes, God puts Joseph in
position to be the most powerful man in the
world (2nd only to the Egyptian
Pharaoh). This was God's ultimate
plan for Joseph to help others.
- Likewise, God
allows mixtures of misfortunes and blessings
to put us in the position to better serve Him
and to bless others. What you may consider a
setback may well be God putting you in
position and preparing you according to His
plan.
- God's ultimate
goal for our future is eternal life for us and
those we influence: "But God shows
His love for us in that while we were still
sinners, Christ died for us" -- Romans
5:8
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