A friend who is a strong believer in Christ recently told me of a time when she lost her job unexpectedly because she was not willing to compromise her values in going along with the illegal and corrupt wishes of her immediate bosses. Her reviews to that point had been stellar. She was devastated, confused and scared, because she depended on her income to support her family and was an expectant mom.
How many of you have been or are in a similar situation of sudden uncertainty? What is your natural inclination, to run from God or to run to God?
Running from God may seem to be the natural action when we go through something so egregious that it seems He has not answered our prayers, or worse, He has let us down. I encourage you to practice trusting God in these circumstances. If you do, you will ultimately find that He’s always got your back even when you can’t see it.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 ESV.
My friend ended up trusting God during this difficult period. She and her family relocated to their current city and God was gracious in providing her current job where she is excelling, is valued for her integrity and has prospered beyond her expectations. As for the company that let her go, within a few months, their practices caught up to them as everyone in the company was investigated, the company shut down and many lives including her bosses were ruined.
Sometimes when you are going through a storm, it is hard to know what God is up to. When He allows you to be removed from your position of comfort, He may just be rescuing you from a coming calamity or setting you up for a greater position. I have personally been a witness to this throughout my life, and I have learned to always thank Him for shut doors as much as I thank him for new opportunities.
When you go through stuff, when doors are shut or slammed in your face, it is important to remember God’s command to “Be Still and Know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV. He has a better plan in store for your life that you can’t see yet.
God has declared that the plans He has for your life are plans to prosper you and not to harm you. They are plans to grant you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Depend on it, and the next time you are in a tough situation, run to Him!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13 ESV