I can’t change most of the difficult circumstances I encounter in my life…and I feel condemned when I find myself in situations I can’t control or fix. The typical advice one receives in the church usually goes something like, When you can’t change your circumstances…use your circumstances to change you. This is a misapplication of the promise indicated in Romans 8:28 – namely that “God is working all things together for your good” And I’m sure He is…but I can’t see it right now where I am on the ground…in the midst of the confusion, turmoil, and warfare swirling about me.
I can remember the summer I lost my job and the pastor friend who counseled me to “use this time to regroup and realign yourself with God“…and I thought, “well, I kinda don’t trust God right now…”
We are so prone to try to “use” our troubles as a means of triumphing. I guess the cross isn’t enough (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:14). When I find myself in the midst of the insurmountable, I don’t need a cheerleader…I need a coroner to finally pronounce me dead. When I’m in circumstances I can’t control, I don’t need to know how this is one day mysteriously going to work out for me (I’ll wait til one day to celebrate)…I need to know I’m forgiven.
Law, Grace, & Daily Living 