When Things Go Wrong - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) October 13, 2020

When things go wrong

Sometimes, we wonder whether God was punishing us for something we did wrong. I can't be the only one who's thought that before, or am I? This can happen when all of a sudden, you experience a 'series of unfortunate events' and they each come at you fast and furious. (Wow, 2 movie references in a sentence!)

It could be anything like you wake in the morning, stub your toe into a step, then, slip on the ice while walking to your car and twist an ankle. And of course, it doesn't end there. You get into your car and the heater won't work then you drive to work and are five minutes away only to get a flat tire. When you finally get to work, you limp in with a throbbing ankle. But, that's the day your boss woke on the wrong side of the bed and decides you're going to be the target of their fury.

Imagine this was your morning today. Would you wonder if God was trying to punish you?

We don't have to worry about God punishing us in such situations. God longs to be gracious to us and show His compassion (Isaiah 30:18). He is fundamentally kind and loving!

Nevertheless, God wants to teach us, test us. Like a good parent, He knows we have to go through a thing or two to learn certain lessons. He never wants to tempt us - that's the devil's job. Similarly, God doesn't enjoy punishing us. Indeed, He wants as many of us to live the way He'd originally intended when He created Adam and Eve. We are to live a full life fulls of ups. In fact, Jesus said in 1 Corinthians 7:15 - God has called us to live in peace.

When things go wrong, God is using those moments to teach us something. These are the times we have to rely on Him and ask Him for help. These are the times we have to cry out to Him for guidance. These are not the times to think we simply need to make a plan and execute it in order to solve the issue.

Today, I hope that no matter how your day has begun or how your week/month/year is going, you'll remember that God is a loving Father who will do everything to strengthen us and teach us what we need to live in a way where we accomplish the tasks He's assigned to us here on Earth.

I pray that you'll use Praise & Pray (for others) to center yourself and revitalize your spirit despite whatever happened to you that made you wonder whether God had turned His face from you. I pray that by the time fellowship ends, you'll feel refreshed and know, once again, that the King of the Universe loves you beyond measure. If something's gone wrong, it is an opportunity to praise Him for what's gone right and all the great things that will come out of the experience.

God bless you and see you at Noon EST.