My car broke down yesterday, among other struggles; in fact, I’ve been feeling like someone sabotaged my life and everything is coming undone…well, sometimes. A friend, in her best “patience-of-Job” demeanor, reminded me we should still be thankful.

I said, “Right, I should be thankful that I have a car to break down. That’s like being thankful that you are alive to get sick…isn’t it?”
Not everything God gives us is pleasant. Not everything we must endure is a gift. We don’t have to like everything that happens; but still we should thank God that He will use it for His glory and for our betterment.
However, we are entitled to our emotions. When I was a teen my father cut my hair. When I decided I wanted to wear my hair longer it hurt my father that I no longer appreciated his haircuts. I was willing to be obedient to his wishes but I couldn’t hide the fact it wasn’t what I wanted.
Abraham questioned God but was counted as righteous for his obedience, so was Job. The fact that I occasionally turn to God and say “I would do this differently if I were You, God” does not anger Him. But I bet He knows if I were Him I’d do it the same because it would be right. It’s ok that I can’t see that now.
1 Corinthians 13:12
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
God made us in His image, He understands our emotions and confusion. He understand our struggle with pain and loss. He understands what makes us happy and sad. Jesus felt all those emotions…ALL of them. He was hurt by the doubt of the apostles and He wept with Mary and Martha over the pain of the death. He got angry at injustice and tired of ignorant bickering.
Jesus said we would suffer; be hated, rejected, and persecuted; and betrayed even by family. These that we suffer because of him, though they are painful, they will bring reward. But besides these there are pains and losses; frustrations and struggles, that reap nothing but to test our resolve and our focus.
What He did try to teach us is that our Joy is not dependant on the presence or lack of the difficulties of life. Our Joy can be disconnected from the day to day struggle because it exists in the eternal. We must not drag those small afflictions into our eternal purpose and focus.
I hate that my car broke down but God will meet my needs. I hate that I don’t have the money to go visit family and friends, but God will provide. I hate that death exists and that it separates people who love each other, but God hates that too and has provided the answer in His grace which gives eternal life.
I want…want…I want…and if I got all that I’d want more. God wants that all would be saved and come to obedience but He doesn’t get everything that He wants either. God loves the World but only a few love Him…God knows sadness. God goes looking for the lost sheep and rejoices when He finds it…God knows joy.
God’s children rebel against Him…He knows the broken-hearted parent. God keeps His promises while we break ours…God knows disappointment.
Hebrews 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Whether we lost a house or a spouse or all our wealth, or our car broke down, God knows our suffering and is merciful to meet our needs and full of grace to give us more than we deserve. We don’t have to like it but we have to love and trust Him through it.