When you don't understand
by Gemma Gardner
There are times in our lives when we just don’t understand what is happening to us, or why it is happening. Our feelings are telling us that things are out of control, and the enemy comes along and tries to sow thoughts of doubt of God’s goodness, that things will never change, and that we might as well give up on God because He doesn’t care about us anyway. Of course, these thoughts are not the truth, and we have to throw them out and cling to the truth that we read about in God’s Word.
I am facing such a time as this now, so I’ve been thinking about different people in the Bible who didn’t understand what God was doing. There was Moses, who had been sent to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of Pharaoh, and things had taken a turn for the worse for the people. Moses went to God and said, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? ...You have done nothing to rescue them!”(Ex. 5:22-23 NLT). “Then the Lord told Moses ‘Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh’”. (Ex. 6:1). We know the end of the story, but Moses didn’t know. The future looked bleak.
We know the story of Job, and all the terrible things that happened to him. And yet, after hearing all the bad news, he said, “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21,NLT). We know the end of Job’s story, but he didn’t. He had to go through a long period of waiting and being misunderstood by his friends until finally, God intervened.
Isaiah 55:8 says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts”, says the Lord, “and my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine”. This verse can be a real comfort when we are seeking to trust that the Lord is on our case, and our lives are in His hands. God doesn’t make mistakes.
If you are in a time of darkness today, and don’t understand what is happening, just hold on and let God be God in your situation. Tell Him how you feel, just like Moses did, and then in the end you will see what God will do for you. He will not fail us but will fulfil His plans. I have an egg timer which says, “My times are in Your hands” (Ps. 31:5). God knows what He is doing.
Prayer: Loving Heavenly Father, thank You that You are greater than I. You know what is happening to me right now, and I don’t understand it. But I know you do. Please help me to trust You and not listen to Satan’s lies. You are my refuge. Your will be done in me for your glory. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
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