Throughout our lives we go through many hardships. We are helpless and distressed, hoping to overcome sufferings. However, as human beings we are unable to change many things. Despite our struggles against reality, we have to follow the arrangement of fate. This is life without God. But a Christian reaps God's blessings from hardships as long as he or she believes in God.
However, many Christians today carry their heavy burdens to follow God. Walking along, they find sufferings heavier; the more they believe, the more tired they feel. Rather than get any help from God, they are lost in the faith. They ask God, "Why don't you hear my prayer? Why is my life so messed up? Where is your blessing?"
Recently many problems appeared in my friend's family. I encouraged her to pray and commit all the things to God since there were many things we couldn't change and God had his good plan. She responded desperately, "I don't pray now because there is nothing to talk with God about. I won't give up my faith, knowing that I can't regret my choice, otherwise, I will be disciplined by God. However, I have nothing to tell God and let Him do whatever he wants."
In fact, I had a mentality like hers a few years ago. At that time I kept grumbling and complained to God about His being unjust to me. I didn't understand why I had to suffer pains to the extent that I thought of suicide to revenge the world unfair to me. However, I knew that she needed Jesus more than anyone else when I was with her.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this. (Psalm 37:5)
When we encounter things in life, God is not unwilling to help us, instead, we don't want to believe in or trust in Him. When we undergo suffering, our first reaction is to rely on our own understanding and wisdom to find a way out; when all methods and relationships fail, we reluctantly try turning to God. However, our hearts don't turn to God completely and we wish that maybe He can help us. Nonetheless, we don't even make a devout prayer.
All we care about are our hardship and what we lose. Reflect that God wants to use the experience to teach us to trust in him and make us stronger. It's like how God refined the hearts of the Israelites in the desert for forty years.
Recalling my past, I feel really grateful because I know that God doesn't reject me for my sins when I beg for His forgiveness and salvation naked. I count yesterday and today, and it turns out that every day is filled with his grace and blessing.
Please believe that God desires to help you and longs for you not to bear your burdens. He loves so deeply that you're given an environment to let you grow. Do you understand His heart?
Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.(1 Peter 5:7) Christians have a special privilege that we can cast all our anxiety on God and believe that He must remember us. If you need help, ask God to help you as He loves you more than everything else in the world. Go into your room and pray to God because He will listen!
- Translated by Karen Luo
