Not until we discover that God has a plan for our life are we able to make sense of our trials. Perhaps the biggest problem is that we all tend to believe that we deserve better. Something tells us that life is unfair and that we should be exempt from hardships. That would be nice, but it isn’t true.
To get to the truth about ourselves we have to look to God’s Word. We can parade ourselves before the world and win the approval and applause of everyone, and still not measure up to the proper standard. Or we could use the power of reason, compare ourselves to others and conclude that we are more deserving, yet not qualify for an exemption status. The cold hard fact is that, based on God’s righteous standard, we all come up short—way short!
Our unworthiness is not only depicted by the manner in which God’s Word describes the sinner, but also by the declaration that salvation comes “by grace”, “not by works”. Were we worthy grace would have nothing to do with it.
Once we get it nailed down in our mind that we are sinful and unworthy we are able to see that we don’t deserve anything and should be thankful for everything. Regardless of what happens to us, regardless of how bad and painful it might be, it is always less that what we actually deserve. That’s why we should be thankful for every blessing and uncomplaining about every burden.
Not until we get to place that can we see ourselves as chief of sinners, the least of all saints and “take wrong” and allow ourselves “to be defrauded” ( 1 Cor. 6:7) can we endure hardships without complaining and enjoy ourselves without ceasing. And that is a major milestone in a person’s life.
Do yourself a favor— discover what God says about mankind and accept the truth about yourself. You will never be the same! God’s plan is to make you holy, rather than happy. and hardships are a part of that process. The person who comes to realize this will be able to “count it all joy” when they “fall into divers temptations”(James 1:2), endure any trial, and glorify God in any situation.—HDS, 5-28-14, revised
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
