No Guarantees

Sometimes, don’t you wish that life could have something like the guarantees that come with cars, electronics and appliances? It sure would be nice…. sometimes. I say “sometimes” because even as hard as this life can be and feel at times, I have found that by not having that guarantee about an easy life has helped me to see God in a bigger way. No guarantee means that I have to trust God with the outcome instead of expecting the outcome that I would want to see.

The hardest journey that we as humans have to take is that of trust, especially when it comes to God. We want to yank back control on every occasion when, if we truly trust God, then we will get where we need to be so much faster. Admittedly, we tend to mess things up when we don’t give that trust over to God. We like to rush things and we know that it can be difficult to stand on faith when we have a world that is not kind to believers. We are made fun of, mocked, challenged and ridiculed, all because they don’t believe.

I also bring up this idea of guarantees because I have a sister-in-law who is struggling with bouts of cancer that keep coming back. Understandably, she is angry and tired. I am also sure, as with any of us, she asks God, “Why?”. It’s hard to find the joy in living when the future is so uncertain. However, I think that is the purpose…. finding joy within the sorrows that living brings.

Yes, there are no guarantees in life. We ALL suffer in some way. Whether it is through our health, our relationships, our families, our jobs (or professions), or our ______ (fill-in-the-blank). Living life means dealing with sorrows. The difference that tells the true tale is perhaps how you deal with your sorrows. They don’t go away but the one guarantee that we do have? Our God loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus to us. Jesus died for us. Trust me, He knows what suffering is. That is the very definition of the only guarantee that we need! (Related post: The God of Everything).

So, what did I learn from this? I like knowing that I have a God who loves me enough even though I am not worthy of that love at all! It just fills me up with joy even when things get difficult or I become frustrated. He helps sustain me in those times that I need Him but also, I know that He’s there even when things are going just fine. It’s that balance that He gives me and that’s all that I need to be sustained.

What can you learn from this? Remember Philippians 4:7 which says, ” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In fact, I keep seeing these videos on YouTube which others have been showing how the Bible states 365 times, “Do not be afraid.” There is your constant, daily, reminder that the only guarantee that you need, is God. Don’t worry, He’s got this and I can guarantee that!