Christian Living

If Life Is Not Going Right

by John Clark 
05/05/16
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Do you have young adult children or close friends for whom life just seems to not be going right? Ideally, we all want our family members and other loved ones to have a steady job, fairly decent income, and be able to support themselves. We want to see their life advance to greater heights. Sometimes, however, situations happen that get people stuck where they are, and there seems to be no way up and out in order for their life to move forward.This could be especially true financially, but application could be made in other areas. 

     If a person's life is not unfolding the way we desire it to, we need to consider the spiritual side of things. God has a plan for each life. First and foremost, his desire is for each person to come to salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. The second is for a person to be willing to let God work in his or her life in the way that he sees fit, and to be open to his directions and dreams.  Assuming these two elements are in place, we must then put our confidence in God's timing and methods. There must be an assurance that God will work through everything. At the same time, I wonder if there is anything an individual can and should do to put something in motion. Putting confidence in God does not necessarily mean to passively accept one's circumstances. It also means to step out on faith believing that God will act. One needs to be content and rest in the Lord, but at the same time not be passive about making needed changes. 

     God can make a way when there is no way, humanly speaking. He knows what he is doing. He is molding them into the person he desires them to become and preparing them for a life mission. Notice I said, "life mission," not life work.There is a big difference. As important as it is to have a good steady income and fulfilling, happy profession, it really goes beyond that. It  must be kept in view that one's purpose should not necessrily be centered around what is done to make a living, but what is done to build lives. People can prepare themselves for a life work, but only God can equip them for a life mission. 

     Everything a person has been through or is going through can be used by God. He can take all the negative experiences, detours of life, and broken dreams, and combine it with the unique abilities and spiritual gifts he has bestowed upon them, and  bring it to a point in time where their life will be used to edify other people, either through a profession, or a ministry. We can believe that God has better things in store for one's life than we could ever possibly imagine. 

     It is utmost important, however, that we do not micro-manage the lives of those that seem to our perceptions and ideals, are not going right. We have to be careful not to interfere with what God intends to do in a person's life. But we can, and should, give them our wisdom, prayers, and claim some Bible verses over their lives. 

     Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things which you do not know."

     Ephesians 3:20 reads, "Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."

     Philippians 2:13 reminds us that, "it is God who is at work within you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

     Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Do not rely upon your own understanding. 

      Romans 8:28 is a familiar passaage. "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." A word must be said about this verse. It is continually taken out of context. Does this mean that every circumstance is going to work out for the good? No, it does not! It has nothing to do with circumstances, but everything to do with character. Notice the next verse. "For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his Son..." God's ultimate purpose for one's life is to become a godly person.

     So, if the life of your family member or loved one is not going the way you think it should, and they are a Christian and are taking steps toward seeing change, or if your life is not going right according to your finite knowledge, put your faith and trust in God's timing and methods. It may take longer than you would like, but that is not for you to decide. God can make something beautiful out of each life, in the long term.