Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances completely out of our control. I see this quote "God doesn't give us more than we can handle"flash across facebook and twitter status when tragic situations are happening. But the truth is, sometimes we are given way more than We can handle! We are not Strong Enough!!! That's why Jesus says "come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." I believe that statement should say sometimes we are given way more than we can handle, but give your fears, your panic, your sense of out-of-control to Jesus and He will help you handle what you are given. And secondly I don't believe it's God who puts us in these terrible situations...terrible things happen because we live in a fallen world with lots of evil all around us. Read about Paul's thorn in 2 Corinthians Chapter 12, where Paul says his thorn was given to him as a messenger of Satan to torment him--God did not give Paul his thorn but He helped him deal with it. Paul goes on to say "when I am weak, then He is strong". While we may find ourselves in the midst of complete turmoil Jesus is the one that gives us power in our weakness...While the storm is raging on the outside... Jesus gives us peace that passes understanding on the inside. Panic and Fear IS NOT from God!!! 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
I tell you these things today because it's something I must constantly remind myself. I have to admit, I am a control freak!!! I would love to tell you that I never fear, I never panic, and I never get that feeling to run away from what I'm facing as fast as I can...but that is not true. The truth is while I look calm and collected on the outside, I am completely freaking out on the inside! I have hidden these scriptures in my heart and they are always the go to verses when something Bigger than me is going on. When I read 2 Timothy 1:7 I immediately feel powerful and while I know I'm not in control, it gives me peace knowing that Jesus is in control.
This whole post was inspired by my friend Jess who is a great example of obedience and trusting God during a devastating situation. She flew out yesterday to D.C. for an appointment at the National Institute of Health. Jess has been battling brain tumors from Neurofibromatosis and been on chemo for a year. As most of you know there is severe weather going on due to "Frankenstorm" Sandy which is hitting the D.C. area today. After my friend made it to D.C. she was told all federal buildings would be closed today due to the severe storm, including the NIH. Then to top it off her flight for tonight has also been cancelled. She is stuck in D.C. and can't even see her Dr, which was the whole reason she went there in the first place. Now I don't know about you but I think that is a totally acceptable situation to throw a complete fit or at least complain a little about. But not Jess... She was asking what would be some fun things to do today considering things would be closed around town and she can't see her Dr. She even thought about greeting people at her hotel as they came in from the storm. I told Jess, I'm so sorry you're going through this....This completely sucks!!! and Her response was "Jesus has me here for a reason." Wow!!!
When my friend Jess said that, it completely changed things for me. I thought how Powerful and How True! While God may not cause the thorns in our sides and He will help us handle them, there's also a greater purpose for going through the thorn bush. There may be someone else we can help along the way. What if each of us took our focus off of the things that we can't control? What if we quit thinking about how terrible the situation is for us and pondered maybe "Jesus has me here for a reason"?
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