This past week two of my children needed to have their wisdom teeth removed. We thought it would be easier to have them done at once and they could recuperate together. They have encouraged each other and lamented with each other.
It’s hard to watch them cope with their “chipmunk” cheeks and sore heads. It was very difficult for me to go to work the day after their surgery and leave them alone. I’d like to be able to make things better for them, but this is one of those things that they just have to get through. It’s not something you can go around or avoid or shorten.
There are times when I wonder why God lets me go through certain things. Though I pray and pray to have the difficulty removed or lessened, there are times when God seems to be saying that is is necessary for me to go through the trial instead.
In the Psalms it says that God’s ways are perfect. No mistakes. No misjudgments. No oopsies. God has it all under control.
I still get irritated when I have to go through difficult times – why can’t God make it better? As I watch two friends battle cancer, both with children still at home, I want to scream at God for allowing it to happen. Yet, I know that God hates sin and death and sickness, etc. And He does promise to never leave us or forsake us when the bad times hit.
I was very much convicted of the fact this weekend that I really need to let go and let God do the work in my life. I try way too hard to do things right and be proactive to avoid trouble. But I cannot do it all. Life throws curve balls all the time. I was reminded today of the fact that true peace in these trying circumstances will only come from God. It might be a good idea if I just stop resisting and trying to do it all myself, and let God work in my heart and life.
To whoever reads this, may you have a blessed Thanksgiving. I pray that you can give thanks to God for what He is doing in your life.
