Have you ever really wanted something and in spite of your very best efforts could not achieve it? I have on a number of occasions. I have tried to negotiate contracts, convince employees and others to come around to my way of thinking, prayed for things to happen in my life and in the lives of others, etc. and have sometimes met a brick wall. Thank goodness this does not happen often as it can really preoccupy your mind and drive you nutty if you allow it. It is particularly bad if it is something very important.
I once was hunting and had an enormous Whitetail buck “magically” appear before me. I made a mistake and moved a little too quickly and he just as “magically” disappeared before I could even lift my rifle. Having hunted for many years I knew that I was not likely to see another deer of this caliber again, perhaps even in my lifetime. I was devastated and expressed it at hunting camp. A friend watched me spew and storm around the camp making a fool out of myself for thirty minutes and then calmly told me, “If it is for you, it is for you, and if it is not, it is not”. Although the obvious was stated, it was profound.
Through the years that has stuck with me. Often we want something very badly. We pray for it intensely. We do everything within our power to make it happen, but it just does not happen. My brother’s five year old son developed a brain tumor and underwent surgery. We obtained the finest doctors in the land and we prayed on our hands and knees for days and weeks as intensely as I have ever prayed. I never will forget sitting in the waiting room of the hospital when immediately after the surgery the doctor spoke with my brother on the phone. He picked up the phone and immediately slumped his head forward like he had been sucker-punched and nearly fell down as the doctor explained that the tumor was malignant and his beautiful little son would not live six months. I knew at that moment that our best efforts had failed and the answer to all of our prayers was “no”. It was not to be in spite of everything we could do.
In the end we are in God’s hands and if it is to be, it will be, and if it is not, it is not. We should accept it and move on. God has a plan for our lives and He already knows and has promised His children that the outcome will be good. To be sure there will be trials along the way and some of them will be very difficult to understand and to even live through, but we must draw closer to God during these times and “hunker down” and ride out the storm. One thing about living in Florida that I have learned is that storms can be furious, but when they subside the tropical sky that follows is never more beautiful and blue. Life is similar. It is full of ups and downs and worrying about it 24/7 will not smooth it out or even remove one little bump. Worry accomplishes nothing and will just make us miserable. Pray, don’t worry, and if that is difficult for you, pray that you don’t worry!
If you have a storm in your life the good news is that God will ride it out with you. He has not promised us a bed of roses, but He has promised us that he will be right there with us in tough times. Life is at times going to get tough, sin separated us from the ideal life in the Garden of Eden; however He has promised to “always” be with us in spite of our rebellious and sinful natures even as we walk towards and ultimately through the shadow of the valley of death. “Always” means He is with you today as you work through whatever problems you may face, and tomorrow, and throughout your life and beyond through all of eternity.
Do the very best you can working hard to achieve what you think is best, spend significant time in prayer asking God to assist as He sees fit and within His will for your life, and accept whatever comes down the pipe completely even, when you do not understand it. Don’t worry and be happy. Have faith in the Lord. Remember what He did for you and I on the cross out of a love that is incomprehensible and we will be with Him enjoying His goodness and mercy forever.
Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me
All of the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of
The Lord Forever.