Who doesn’t like a party? I threw one recently; a pity party and only Jesus was invited but well, I guess He’s not a big fan of those. Let me tell you why..
I may look grown and mature but God knows, I can throw a good tantrum. In this broken world, the devil doesn’t need to try very hard to get us upset. It’s actually pretty easy.
So, I sat with the little theology I know and called up God. Its still hazy whether it was that big of a deal but, si He says nothing that concerns our peace is too small? He can send a thousand angels to our rescue? No, wait, He can actually show up Himself, yes? And I reminded Him how He showed up for Elijah and Jacob. I mean, I know these are considered great men in the Bible, but I know my Bible. There are no great men but weak men with a big God. We are all in need of grace: so God, show up.
God is interesting guys. I wish I could tell you the colour of His hair, or the complexion of His skin but I guess we’ll have to wait till the second coming or my next actual tantrum. Conclusion of the matter:
KJV Job 13
15a) Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:
Wait, now I need to make my point.
You see, I have no doubt that God knows that pain is painful. For a Man who wore a crown of thorns, was left by all His closest friends and felt forsaken by the Father Himself; I think we can trust that He understands pain. He gets that people hurt our feelings. He is an emotional God.
After my tantrum, I read this in a book I have and love:
…it’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be discouraged. Feelings aren’t bad. You can tell them to get in the car. They can even pick the music. But faith drives.
We, friends, must stop letting feelings drive our lives.
I was not very amused that God chose not to show up. I have no doubt that He can do that for me. Yet I still don’t regret praying those prayers. I can trust God with my tantrums. I can show up emotional and even irrational. However, in retrospect, I see the lesson we all can glean:
God sees things we do not. He knows the gutters we’ve gone through with Him. And like a good teacher, after a good study, He has to show us what we may not see in ourselves: That we have learnt. So it’s exam time. You know what I now see? That I’ve gone through too much with Him to not trust Him. Our relationship has been forged in fires and floods too strong to be broken by one inconvenience. And as you can see, I’m still here. It took Him not showing up for me to see. I am no longer a ‘babe’ in the words of Paul. We are to be growing in faith. I think I’m in my teenage though as per this metric, but you get the point.😅
I can’t explain all that God does or allows. I still don’t know why some people had to die, why you were born in a broken home, why there’s so many painful things in the world. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are our ways His ways (Isaiah 55:8). But if there’s one thing I’d like this blog to remind you, it’s that; God can handle your emotions and He can explain. Yes, He will get you through it but He will also explain how He worked it for your good. And that may come here or on the other side of heaven. For now, look at the cross, then trust Him.
Quit the pityparty. He will calm the storm or give you the peace to brave it. He’s a good Captain. And He’s in the storm with us, always.
KJV Isaiah 53
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Soulsunshine 