Loretta Gjeltema Home

So many things happen that I don’t understand. I’m not talking about things that happen just to me. I see it all around me, and I know there is much more, so much more, that I don’t see. But just because there is adversity, just because evil does exist and people are hurt by it, just because there is a tragedy, does not mean God is not in control. As a matter of fact, because of all of this, I am grateful, that God is in control when it feels like the world is careening out of control! I take comfort that it’s not as senseless as it appears. It’s not as hopeless as it feels.

In this verse, the crooked is the adversity that God allows into our lives. I cannot change the adversity. God has allowed it. In doing so, His word tells me, there is a purpose. So rather than focusing on what I want to see changed, I need to focus instead on what God is doing with the adversity in my life.

Is he drawing me close? Is he pruning out things in my life that will leave me better off when they are gone? Is he teaching me or giving me a gift for later? Faith tells us that in the blink of an eye, God could right all these wrongs, clear every adversity from our path. But as we look around us, it is clear that he does not. He is in control. Our challenge, to trust his love and provision in spite of and through these hard things, and perhaps in some instances, because of the hard stuff.

There are so many questions in life for which we have no answers. So many situations which we can not change. The human reaction is to call these tragedies. In reality, they were allowed by God. There is somewhere, most likely outside of our human understanding, a reason. I believe we will never know the reason for many of these situations this side of heaven. If it were up to me, I would do away with all these challenges, all these sorrows. But, I choose to give over control to God, for things I can not control anyway. I trust that God loves me and that whatever he allows in my life is for my good.

A life of faith keeps me holding onto God’s promises.  The last recorded words of Jesus, just as he ascended back into heaven:  “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33  

This is like the locker room pep talk! It’s not going to be easy, but you can do this! I am with you, and I have already overcome the worst there is. Nothing that touches you on this earth is more than I can handle, stick with me, you can handle it too!

Putting it into Action

• What is the worst thing that has happened to you that’s in your past? As you look back, do you see any good that came from this situation?
• Are there things in your life that feel out of control right now? How are you dealing with that feeling?
• As you look around, do you have moments when you feel a sense of despair for what you see in the world? Do you ever fear that this is an indication that God has lost control? How does your faith impact how you react to these situations?
• How do you think you can prepare yourself for troubles that lie ahead in your path?