Dumped On

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8 ESV). Recently, someone wrote to me and remarked how they felt God had dumped all of this garbage on them. They even said that when they prayed, He only dumped on them more. My response was to take them to our reading today. God simply doesn’t dump stuff on us. Either others dump it on us or we pull it down on ourselves. That’s the whole point of being creatures with a will. We do have choices. God doesn't break up marriages, shoot people, or steal from people. Unless it's the result of a natural disaster, it's not God's work, except in that He has allowed us to fully exercise our will, even when contrary to His will. As a result, sometimes we hurt ourselves, sometimes we hurt others, sometimes others hurt us, but it is our own doing, not God's. What He DOES do is give us the strength to get through it all one way or another. Please note, I did not say "comfort," I said "strength." I've had some of those miserable lonely terrifying times when I've been so emotionally hurt and in need of comfort that it was like a physical ache. God did not come down and make me feel “comfortable” by taking it all away immediately. What He did was simply give me strength and the assurance that I would get through whatever it was that needed getting through. He also gave me a way out of the hurt and ache that I was experiencing. I've learned to simply ask Him to do His will and make me okay with whatever happens. Each time I pray, I ask Him to make me more willing to go along with His will. Even when things are going a little ragged for me; I still have peace knowing that whatever happens, God is going to get me through it, no matter how painful and unpleasant the process. God doesn't cause our problems; He doesn't "dump" on us; He doesn't cause our pain. He DOES love us and wants to help us through our trials with His heavenly presence. Just ask Him.