What do you do when life doesn’t go your way? Have you had times when you seem to dig out of a pit in life only to fall into a deeper hole? Are there days when it seems that you wonder, “Do I have a sign on me that says ‘Everybody Pick on Me Today? All of us have days when everything seems to go wrong and we wonder; “What’s happening? What did I do to deserve this? I feel like I am trying my best.” Christians will tell me, as a pastor and friend; “I am seeking God’s will…trying to find & do right thing but I am struggling.” Well, I hate to tell you (actually I really enjoy telling…it is just an old saying we Southerners use and I love being a Southerner) but finding God’s will is not that difficult. Finding the right job, spouse or your lost car keys may be more of a struggle but God’s will is revealed clearly in his word. Often people are more interested in seeking affirmation to do what pleases us than we are in seeking God’s will.
To find’s God’s will and the real answer to deal with life when things don’t go your way you can turn to John 3 and follow directions Jesus gave a religious leader 2000 years ago. You must be born again (Spiritually reborn). Being religious will not do. One can be so religious that one’s eyes can shine like stained glass windows but still not have spiritual resources to help in life. Religion is following rituals (admittedly this can be helpful for some). Religion will not change a personality or make a person new. Some of the meanest and most evil people I have met or read about are devoutly religious. Anyone in church is simply in a building or part of an organization but anyone in Christ is a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). One must follow Jesus by faith and give self totally to Christ as Luke 9:23 tells us our desires, ego, feelings and agenda are to be given the death penalty. Once that happens we are able to think differently. Romans 12:1-2 tells us we have a renewed mind and do not act the way of the rest of the world…THEN we will know God’s good and perfect will. In other words after doing these things we will see, think and act in such a different manner that God’s vision, understanding and plan will be understandable to us. We will also have resources beyond our experiences, abilities, wisdom and explanation as the power of the Holy Spirit indwells us.
After total faith and commitment to Christ we will have a different attitude and life a life of giving thanks in all that happens as I Thessalonians 5:18 states is also God’s will for us who are in Christ. Being thankful and living a life in this manner unlocks joy and happiness that most seek but few find. Too often we look to circumstances to make us happy. That won’t happen. We live in a world warped by sin. Bad things happen to good people. Evil exists. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:45 injustices come to all. However those who are born again will be rewarded forever so justice prevails. So, even in difficult days we can give thanks that God has a plan for us for all eternity. Even in the difficult days we can give thanks that God is perfecting us for eternity through the difficulties that exist in this world. Even Jesus was perfected through suffering while here as we are told in Hebrews 2:10.
No matter what is going on in life one can look to God and find his will. It is first to be born of the Spirit. Then submit all completely to him. Once that is done you will develop a different perspective. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change. You will see his will is to give thanks IN all things. No matter what is happening you can and will find reasons to give thanks. Giving thanks IN all things is far different than being thankful FOR all things. It is not possible to give thanks FOR all things but IN all things one can be thankful that God has you in his hand for all eternity. He has an eternal plan for you. He is standing right beside you (II Corinthians 1:3-7). You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you to withstand anything the world can throw your way (Romans 8:1, 2, 9, 28-39). So with all this in your favor you can’t lose…Give thanks!
