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Topic: Directions (02/02/04)
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TITLE: Wrong Way By Sherri Fulmer Moorer 02/03/04 |
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I recently went through such a time, when changes forced me to question if I was on the right path in life. Drastic changes at work turned my dream job into a nightmare, friends that my husband and I trusted let us down, and a sudden death in the family shocked us with an unexpected loss. I spent a lot of time lying awake at night, wondering what it was that pulled the rug out from under me. I never blamed God for the bad luck, but I had to wonder if I had done something to make everything turn upside down. Suddenly, I was questioning every decision I made in my adult life. I seriously wondered if I strayed away from God’s will for me somewhere. And no matter how hard I tried; I couldn’t find any place where I had gone wrong.
Naturally, I turned to my writing, which was ironically doing well. Perhaps the mishaps in my life lead to one thing going right. While researching a short story I was working on; I ran into a Bible verse that shed light on the entire situation. I didn’t feel so alone when I realized this writer felt my pain when he wrote: “I realized another thing, that in this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles. Wise men do not always earn a living, intelligent men do not always get rich, and capable men do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone” (Ecclesiastes 9:11) . I knew right then I had found my answer. What was happening to me was not the result of anything I had said or done, but rather the world at work around me. Sometimes life just isn’t fair, and we have to cope with it. We live in an imperfect world, and every once in a while it will demonstrate that imperfection by putting you in circumstances beyond your control. I also found some comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone, because the world does not discriminate against anyone. Bad thing happen to good people, bad people, and non-believers. The difference is that believers have hope that all things will work out for the best in God’s will.
I had a humbling experience in dealing with my own problems after reflecting on this verse. I realized that all of my questioning had kept me too focused on myself and not focused on God. I made a decision right then to drop all of the pity, anger, hostility, and fighting I was doing so I could accept Christ’s peace in my life. The truth was that the only person that could help me was me. My pastor also pointed out that when you are at a turning point in your life, you can’t simply sit and do nothing – it is a time for positive action. I have the support of a wonderful husband and family, but in the end, I had to make some decisions and take action on my own behalf.
Switching my focus helped me find the path to emotional recovery. It didn’t change my work situation, peoples’ attitudes, or abolish my grief, but it did change the way I looked at things. Finally, I was stronger for working through those situations and had the strength to take on the new challenges life had waiting for me.
It is natural to question yourself when it seems things are all wrong, but keep in mind that the world is not perfect and life is not fair. Sometimes bad things will happen, and it will really test our faith to get through them. The good news is that God will never put you in a situation that is too much for you to handle. If you are in it, you have the strength to get through it. All you have to do is pray for that strength and let the Lord help you through it. Other people can love you and support you emotionally, but in the end you have to make decisions and take action on your own. Don’t be immobilized by self pity. God welcomes you to turn to Him with your problems – and the sooner you do, the sooner you can move on to better days ahead.