The Best Way Out Is Always Through!

There are many things I love about God's Word. Among them is the fact that the Bible does not "sugarcoat" life. When one reads Scripture, he or she will quickly realize (if reading with an attentive eye and an open mind) that what he or she is reading is talking about the world in which they live. The Bible is all about life in the real world .... in OUR world! For example, toward the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke the following to his followers, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus could not have said it any more plainly - we will experience trouble in this life! And after living on this earth for close to 54 years now, I will not argue that point!

Now most of us when we experience trouble ... we just want out! Out of the difficulty and back to the more comfortable "smooth sailing" times of life. This is certainly understandable. Trouble brings pain. And the bigger the trouble ... the bigger the pain. None of us wants to hurt ... so we cry out to God, "Get me out of this mess! Deliver me now!" However, when we do this, what we are really doing is asking God to remove us from His divine classroom. Read what God says about life's difficulties and what HE wants to do through them:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4).

So when we pray, "God get me out of this!" we are, in effect, telling God we would rather feel good than grow in our faith!  Robert Frost was right we he wrote, "The best way out is always through." So instead of asking God to get you OUT of your troubles, ask God to get you THROUGH them, teaching you whatever it is HE wants you to learn in the process.

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj