There is an oft-quoted passage in Romans that I think many Christians know and can rattle it right off. My whole family has said it many times as we go through things.
But I wonder, do we really believe it. (Okay, do I really believe it?)
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. –Romans 8:28
God causes all things to work together for good. That means trials, tribulations, sadness, struggles, layoffs, harsh financial times, etc., all work together for good for those who love God.
Why bring this up? I’m currently under the specter–like so many Americans–of losing my job. In my situation, I’m the only one working “outside the home”; in reality, I work from home for my employer. My group lost their main (read: only) customer last Fall. Half of my group was laid off just before Christmas. Since then, we’ve been redefining and refining ourselves and scrambling to find new customers. While we have a few prospects, our group is burning through a lot of cash for the company as a whole. Obviously, you can’t do that for very long. We are supposed to find out as soon as today if our days have a definite number on them.
I’m really not ready to find another “job” right now. My work arrangement–telecommuting full time–is wonderful for everyone. Truly. It’s been a huge blessing for my family and I’ve been able to be here for all my one year old son’s “firsts.” But with that blessing comes the knowledge that unless I can find something else that fits this lifestyle, I may have to give it up to feed my family. The thought of going back to the cube-farm repulses me. Office politics, back-biting, hidden agendas, stale work environments, unnecessary meetings, interruptions, gossip, etc., just have zero appeal to me now.
At this stage in my career, I’ve been under this specter of layoffs. Gratefully, I’ve only experienced one actual layoff. It was terrible experience but I got through it. How? The moment the HR manager called me and told me I was let go, I prayed. I closed my eyes as she continued talking and just said: “God, I don’t know what you are up to, but I will trust you that you know better than I.” It was one of those few times in my life where I really put my faith and trust in Him and experienced peace. Two days later, I received a large settlement check from a class action lawsuit I was a party to. At the same time, I started contacting everyone I knew. As it turns out–God knew–my current employer was hiring. So within two weeks, I landed where I’m at now. God came through, more than I could have dreamed. Throughout my professional career, and even during times when I was not in relationship with the Lord, I can see He’s hand at work. He’s seemingly taken care of every job I’ve ever had.
The times now, however, are different than most of the other times I’ve been looking for work. If you believe the media–and quite frankly I’m sick of all the bad news–it’s really bad out there. But isn’t this just the time for faith to increase? Isn’t this where I need to remember the story of Gideon and how God kept telling Gideon that “the people are too many.” God wanted to eliminate from Gideon and the Israelites, any reliance on themselves. God whittled down Gideon’s 32,000 soldiers down to 300…300 to fight against a Midianite army of 135,000! Only God could claim victory with that one.
But isn’t this the same thing? Should I not rely on God being able to care for my family in spite of the threat of a layoff, really bad financial problems in our country, and zero in savings? Hasn’t God provided a roof over our heads, a mortgage payment that gets paid every month, food on the table, and clothes on our backs? Or has God caused these seemingly huge problems so that I (we?) will rely on Him to take care of us in spite of the circumstances in front of us? Oh me of such little faith! Forgive me, Lord.
“I do believe; help my unbelief.” –Mark 9:24
“While men have no faith, they are unconscious of their unbelief; but, as soon as they get a little faith, then they begin to be conscious of the greatness of their unbelief.” –Charles Spurgeon
May He Increase!
As I look back in time this verse is amazing. During the times when I thought the world was ending and my faith was weak………..He was there!
I have spent all my 401K monies and savings on my wife’s cancer treatments. I told my wife that if she doesn’t survive this cancer…..I’ll kill her (she laughed). The only reason I mention this is because some of my friends think this is the worse thing in the world that could happen. No it isn’t! God saved us and that is the best thing that could have happened! If He could raise two dead sinners to life………..the money situation is a piece of cake! All things REALLY do work out for His children. We got ourselves an awesome God!!
Ike,
I know God has placed you in my life to remind me to take the focus off myself and realize that He is bigger than any problem I can conceive of. Our God is able!
Thank you, brother.
Joe.
Joe,
If you were to spend much time with me…..I would disappoint you! Praise the Lord…..He never will!
AMacAurtur just did a couple of message on doubt and unbelief in the believer recently. Worth a listen
Thanks Richard. I’ll have to dig that one up. Thanks for stopping by again!