Thoughts for Life: Why Lord?

Andrea Merrell: “Lord, I just don’t understand.' I’ve found myself making this statement a lot lately.

I don’t understand this crazy weather or the ridiculous dreams that invade my sleep.

I don’t understand why people are so cruel and vindictive, or the reason such a young man died so tragically.

And I really don’t understand why my friend keeps going back to her abusive husband.

Why? Why? Why?

Questions bombard us from every angle, especially if we’re in tune with the national news. What I’ve learned is that we can either worry and fret or go to the one infallible source of truth—God’s Word.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart . . .'

The problem with trusting is that we’ve been let down and disappointed so many times, it’s hard to place our faith in someone—sometimes even God.

'And lean not on your own understanding . . .'

We spend far too much time depending on our own understanding. We try to analyze and rationalize everything to death. If we can’t figure it out—and fix it—we get frustrated.

If we’re not careful, worry sets in and we lose hope.

Trust in the Lord is a tall order, especially when we’re instructed to do it with our whole heart—no questions asked—no matter what the circumstances might be.

God tells us His ways are not our ways. They are so much higher and greater than anything we can see, feel, or comprehend. In other words, He sees the big picture.

He knows the end from the beginning and everything in between. He is the One who brings order to chaos, makes beauty out of ashes, and has a time and purpose for everything under heaven.

He is the One I can turn to when nothing makes sense. I don’t have to understand. All I have to do is trust.

How about you?"

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Why, Lord?

Nov 30, 2015 12:00 am | Andrea Merrell

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Andrea Merrell is an author, editor, workshop leader, and writing mentor with a passion to encourage other writers and help them sharpen their skills.

She is Associate Editor for Christian Devotions Ministries and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Andrea has been published online and in numerous anthologies.

She is the author of Murder of a Manuscript: Writing and Editing Tips to Keep Your Book Out of the Editorial Graveyard, The Gift and Praying for the Prodigal. For more information or to contact her, visit www.andreamerrell.com or www.thewriteediting.com.

Let's pray..

Father, it's true, we have so many questions, and we're learning that You're the One with answers for us.
Your Word tells us that Your ways are higher than ours, so help us to understand this, and look to You for guidance each day.
We really don't need to figure out the answers for what concerns us, therefore, we can lay them before You for Your directions in each matter.
May we learn to trust in You with all our hearts. In the Name of Jesus I ask this. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 91:15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him."

Our question today:

What is it that is most effective in our efforts to have God's power released in our churches?

"Status-quo Christianity doesn’t work to fight and win in spiritual warfare, only Christ-centered Christianity does. We need a vibrant relationship with the living God that will allow His power to change our lives and the lives of those around us. God desires to do great things through us, if we are only willing to be with Him and walk where He directs us. Spending time with Jesus is not something we do once; it is something we live breath by breath." Mike Evans

He that believes in Jesus, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Neil Vermillion

Our thought today:

It's breath taking to realize that the Holy Spirit can actually dwell within us! (see Col. 1; Eph. 1, as well as Acts 2)