Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

Job 2:10

Praising God comes quite naturally when our situations in life are going well. We feel blessed with that steady job, nice house, having health, children, healthy relationships and these are all great things to acknowledge as blessings, having grateful hearts towards God’s provision. But what happens when our circumstances change for the worse?

When we lose a loved one, there’s a relationship breakdown, health starts to deteriorate, or your employer lets go of your position? These are all examples of happenings we would rather avoid. When our lives are turned upside down, it can be very difficult to tap into a heart of gratitude and recognise that although our situation might seem unfair and unwanted, God himself is still trustworthy, faithful, good, and worthy of our praise. He is constant whether he gives or takes away. (Job 1:21)

Job, was truly a man tested in his faith. He lost everything and yet I am amazed that Job could speak so confidently and with a greater perspective when his wife questioned his integrity and perseverance. (See the opening verse above) Although he was in a horrible situation, he recognised that God was still worthy of praise regardless of what was allowed in his life. For Job, God still remained sovereign and he chose correctly to keep honouring God through the pain, suffering, and loss.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

I wonder what your circumstances are today? Behind the exterior shell of always saying, “I’m fine, thanks,” how are you really doing? As one of my dear friends often asks me, “How is your heart today?”

Regardless of your current situation, I hope you will chose to believe God is near to you and wants to journey with you through your victories but especially any failures, hurts, or difficulties. Keep pressing through and don’t give up! We cannot always see the bigger picture of our lives, but God does and the Holy Spirit can help us to keep trusting, keep praying, keeping praising the Father when we can hardly do so on our own. Remember that we cannot avoid trouble in this world. Jesus warned us of this, but He also reminded us that He has overcome the world and therefore hope is not lost! (John 16:33)

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.”

Psalm 55:22

Dear Heavenly Father,

I choose to praise you today, regardless of my circumstances.

Whether things are going my way or my world feels turned upside down, I acknowledge you as my Lord and Saviour.

Though my faith can feel fragile and my heart discouraged at times, I praise you Jesus because you have already overcome the world.

Holy Spirit, please provide the energy I need to keep going, trusting not in my life’s situations but in God’s greater plans for my life.

Little by little, help me to keep on singing your praises, giving up the things I cannot carry, and trusting that You are with me always.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.