choosing our responses

When I was growing up, my father always told me, "Life is a series of choices… you have the choice to make good ones or bad ones." Although there were times when I rolled my eyes or didn’t want to listen, how grateful I am to faithfully remember that I choose how to respond in all my life circumstances, especially in the difficult and challenging circumstances. My selfish nature is tempted to focus inward and wallow in the pain as I doubt I can survive. But in those moments, we all have the choice to rejoice in the refining times because we have the choice to draw near to God and trust in His sovereignty and strength.

Job was a normal man with a normal family that was living the normal Christian life. In the first chapter of Job after everything has been stripped of him, except his life, he had a huge choice to make… do I curse God and end my life? Or do I embrace the circumstance and trust God in this unbearable situation? Upon hearing the news of his property, belongings, and family, we immediately see his chosen response.

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD." Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. ~ Job 1:20-22

Life brings situations that are unexplainable and often seem unfair. This is where our faith is refined… do we truly trust the God that saved us to never leave us?

So how will you choose to respond when life throws you challenges? Do you take a step back from the situation and choose to see things in light of all eternity? Are you choosing to trust in His plan or alleviate the situation through your own means?

May we all find the courage through the power of the Holy Spirit to choose to worship and respond to life’s painful circumstances in such a humble manner as Job. God desires us to choose Him and will bring joy and comfort to those who choose to respond deep within their hearts, "Lord, blessed be your name."

~ Hollie Schaub