When Live Overwhelms Us
From time to time, each of us faces painful, disappointing, or frustrating circumstances that seem to keep coming one after the other. Sometimes we are told, or at least think, that our response should be to hunker down and “accept God’s plan”—as if His plans for us can generally be expected to result in pain, disappointment, and frustration.
Father’s will is for our good, not for evil. Romans 8:28 expresses it this way, “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.” (NASB 2020)
Instead of curling up into a protective ball and riding it out, we can let our mindset be one of peace in whatever circumstances the world throws at us. We are ambassadors in the valley of the shadow of death, a foreign kingdom ruled by a terrible despot. Holy Spirit is with us, and He is working for good even in the terrible things.
The Apostle Paul modelled this for us in Philippians 4:11–13 “Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (NASB 2020)
The secret Paul learned was that contentment in life is the result of the strength of God in Him. His prayer for the saints in Ephesus, recorded in Ephesians 3:16, reflects this. There we read, “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self” (NASB 2020)
As we walk through this valley where the shadow of death threatens to surround and suffocate us, we can remember that Holy Spirit within us is the same Holy Spirit whose power defeated our enemy and raised our Brother Jesus from the dead.
Our enemy may rule this kingdom. He may roam around roaring. It matters not. He has been defanged and declawed. He can no longer touch us. (see 1 John 5:18) He is all bark and no bite, and truth is his kryptonite.
We are children of the Most High and we can say with the Psalmist, “The LORD is my shepherd, I will not be in need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23 NASB 2020)
