Turn Of Events

I Kings 12 is an interesting chapter of the Bible. Rehoboam has gone to Shechem so the Israelites can make him King. The people asked him to lighten the harsh load Rehoboams father had put on them when he was king. He consulted the elders and they said he should lighten their load, but after consulting his friends he decided to make it even worse for the people. In verse 15 it says, "So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord..." Continue the story and you will see in verse 24 the Lord says, "this is my doing".
I wonder how many of us are experiencing "a turn of events" in our lives right now? Maybe you've lost a home or a job, been diagnosed with an illness, faced strained relationships with loved ones or had something unexpected happen in your life that has taken a toll on your emotions. You may find yourself facing a mountain you do not have the strength to climb. Depression and despair may have rolled in like a fog settling heavily over your heart and mind.
What if it is all His doing, not ours? What if it isn't about the economy, or choices we've made or things we have or have not done? What if God only allows things into our lives that will mold us and shape us more into the image of His son? What if everything you are experiencing is not your doing, but His doing? Often we believe that God's hand is upon us only when our bank accounts are fat, our tummies are full, the birds are singing outside our window and everything is coming up roses! When you look at men and women of the Bible it appears the majority of them experienced God in a greater way when they were being schooled in rooms of pain and suffering. Paul and Job were the first to come to my mind.
Whatever is going on in your life, realize that God has allowed it. Your turn of events is not an accident. The economy does not control your finances, God does. He will use the economy to do His will in your life because you are His child. Wait and watch to see what God is going to do as He allows you to experience His love through your struggles. He knows what He is doing. He always has a purpose and a reason for everything. Trust Him even if you don't understand Him!
I don't think there was one day that I did not cry when I was in the thick of battling cancer. My healing came with great anguish. It was the most difficult and darkest times of my life and yet the sweetest, as I humbly knelt before God every day and put my life into His hands. There was nothing else I could do. I had no power to heal cancer, only God did. You may have no power to change your circumstances, but God does. Embrace your situation with an attitude of thanksgiving and expectation. Give God permission to make a testimony out of you! He will give you the strength to climb any mountain He's placed in front of you. Take it one step at a time. Don't give up or throw in the towel when it gets difficult. Hold His hand and let Him lead you to the top. When you get there, you will see how small and insignificant the obstacles were compared to the view you now have. Sit down, catch your breath and enjoy the scenery!