Questioning and Keeping the Faith

We've all been witness to what we perceive as the negative consequences of decisions that others have made. It may be that we are directly affected by the consequences of those decisions or it may be that we care about others who are affected by the consequences of those decisions. We may wonder, why does God let this happen if He truly wants what is best for us? Asking that question assumes that what we desire is in line with what God knows is best for us. 

Often, while on this journey of life, I forget that just because I perceive that something is good, and I desire for it to be so, it may not be in the plans that God has for me! When things don't go the way I think they should and I begin to question God, I sometimes wonder if this shows a lack of faith on my part. I know that I should look for what God has for me to learn, how He can help me grow and how He will work good from what I perceive as bad. That is always easier to advise others to do than to actually do myself. 

In my head I know that God has good plans for me. He told me in Jeremiah that His plans are to prosper me and not to harm me. I know this! But when it feels like the world is crumbling around me, when I see children neglected and I try but can't fix it, when it seems that good work is overlooked or ignored, when I try to do good and am thwarted, I have trouble feeling like God is prospering me. Now I know that Satan can really get a foothold in times of questioning if I let him. 

God also promises to give me a hope and a future. That comes right after the promise to prosper me and not to harm me. If I stop there and don't remember that I have the promise of a hope and a future - I have trouble keeping the faith. If I read on, can press on. I can persevere. I know I will have to wade through a lot of muck in this world to get to the end and my eternal home in Heaven. When I find myself wading in the muck, I must remind myself to look toward the hope and future and to look at the mountain top experiences like a friend's healing, a new career doing what God called me to do, new life, the satisfaction that comes from a job well done (even if no one notices) - I must look at these things and remember the promise of a hope and a future to keep the faith. 

Is questioning bad? Probably not; especially if the questioning leads to reading the Word to be reminded of the many promises God has for me. I pray that I will remember this the next time I am wading through some muck. Note to self:  God being your guide, persevere - keep on doing the good that you can do - keep the faith - claim the promises!