Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Have you ever noticed when your life starts to go really well something unexpected happens and throws you off course? I mean you’re going along just fine. Your kids are happy, you love your job, your money situation is good (not great but good) and then BOOM! Adversity strikes. Your son gets bullied at school and doesn’t want to go back. Your daughter tries out for a club, doesn’t get accepted and is in tears. Your boss leaves the company to take another job and your new boss is a jerk. Then your car breaks down and the extra money you had in your pocket is gone.

Suddenly life is difficult. Your stomach is in knots, and you aren’t sure how to handle the changes. What is the best thing to you say to your children? How do you handle your new boss? Should you still take the family vacation you’ve been planning now that you don’t have the extra money?

It is so easy to blame God for the bad things that happen in our life. To question him and ask, even demand an explanation. Why me? Why now? Everything was going so well. Why would you do this to me? But I would like to challenge you to look at it a different way. The enemy is the one that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Not God. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” So instead of blaming God, lean into God. Have faith that God will be with you to bring you through this season of adversity.

The enemy doesn’t really want your peace of mind or your job or your money. He hits that to see if your faith is in that.  Because that is what he really wants. The enemy wants your faith. Your commitment to God. And if he can crush your faith, he wins. If he can get you to turn your back on God, he wins. Don’t do it. Do not take your eyes off God. Do not turn away from the only one that always has your back. Tell the enemy that your God is a mighty God and that your faith will not waiver.

You may never get that explanation that you were demanding regarding why these things happen to you. But you can be confident that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28) So, stay close to God and have faith that he will make sense of it all.

Lord, my life is a series of ups and downs. But you are my constant. I love you and believe in you and have faith that you will be with me during the good times and the bad. Give me wisdom to handle all the challenges in my life. I will not take my eyes off you. Amen.