Faith | Stressed out? God can work all things to our good

Have you ever had a week when almost everything seems to be going wrong?

The stresses of life can just accumulate and intensify. We have all had those times and our stress points can vary from annoying, insignificant incidents to huge, life-changing tragedies.

I remember one particular week when my car wasn’t starting. Also, we had multiple plumbing issues which involved both a self-repair with YouTube instructions, and then a plumber being called in.

Besides that, it was the same week we attempted getting passport pictures, and we made the assumption that professional photographs were needed as they had been previously.

After multiple failed attempts of uploading my photo – and return trips to have a new photo taken – their camera broke. (Of course, my wife’s photo uploaded without any difficulties the very first time.) So, after at least three attempts and wasted trips back and forth, we discovered that a phone camera photo was acceptable. My wife was extremely disappointed when we received our actual passports and realized that my photo was better.

Other challenges that week were a medical bill that seemed outrageous, along with the daily grind that can sometimes be overwhelming.

There comes a point when you just have to step back and refocus. God is still in control, and there is a purpose for all of our struggles.

I am reminded of Job in the Bible, and how God allowed him to be tested to prove to the devil that in the worst of circumstances, Job, a godly man, would not turn away from God. Job lost his wealth, children and health, and then still stated, “... The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” “Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” (Job 1:21, Job 2:10)

When we experience difficult times, some would say that God is either disciplining us or trying to test us for our own good.

God is like a heavenly father who only wants what is best for his children, and that sometimes involves loving discipline. “For whom the Lord loves he disciplines, ... .” (Hebrews 12:6) It doesn’t mean that God no longer loves us, but that he actually loves us even more. He knows exactly what we need and how to ultimately bless us.

I know that the stresses mentioned previously are trivial compared to some. As a Christian, I also know that even in the worst of situations, the Lord wants what is best for us.

I need to focus on always trying to please the Lord, and in stressful situations apply Romans 8:28 which states, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

It’s a true blessing to know that as a Christian I am a part of God’s family, and that God loves me enough to discipline me as his child.

I became a Christian when I believed in Jesus’ work on the cross for me. He was fully God and fully man who lived a perfect life and was able to pay the penalty for my sins by dying on a cross in my place. I now have his righteousness and will one day live forever with him in his heavenly kingdom.

Needless to say, that kingdom will be stress-free and glorious beyond anything we can begin to imagine, and no passport pictures will be required – only a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through faith.

Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.