When Life Stinks: Because Sometimes It Does . . .

Honestly?  Life can seem cruelly unpredictable at times.

I can't think of anything important I've ever endeavored to do that turned out the way I thought it would or should . . . at least not without a lot of painful bumps in the road first.

I can't think of one deceased person in my life who has died at what I consider to be the right time.  Because, if I was in charge, they'd still be here.

I can't think of one day in my life where nothing went wrong; where I didn't mess something up; where everything went smoothly and perfectly.

I can't think of a minute in my life that I wasn't afraid of something . . . when fear wasn't holding me back from something or other.

Let's face it.  Life stinks sometimes.  At least that's how we see it from our limited human perspective.  People disappoint us.  Circumstances disappoint us.  We disappoint ourselves.

I think it's okay to be disappointed.  That disillusionment reminds us that perfection is not to be found on this earth--not in people or circumstances; that we need a perfect Savior and Lord to be strong where we are weak.  The stench of heart-wrenching times nudges us closer to the only One who can bring us truly beautiful Life.

What I have learned is that when I focus on the circumstances, I end up wallowing in them.  Here's what we can do instead:

• Remember that this moment is only this moment.  Things can get better later today, tomorrow, next month, or next year.  We are responsible for living this moment to its fullest.
• Remember that God supplies our every need (Phil. 4:19).  He has endless riches at his disposal and knows just what we need.
• Remember that what we think we need may not be what we need.  We have limited wisdom. God knows what we truly need, and he already knows how He will provide it.
• Remember we may be part of the problem. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies.  And other times we don't want to face our part (fault?) in troubled circumstances or relationships.  Honest self-examination is vital!
• Remember to feel the feelings.  Though living by and making decisions based on our feelings is dangerous, emotions sill have a purpose.  It's easy to get busy and deny how we are feeling.  Heck, I had a relative die a week ago, and barely shed a tear until today, when the numbness and busy-ness faded away and I was left with . . . grief.  
• Remember GRACE.  God knows what's in our hearts, and He loves us anyway!  If we love Him, too, we ought to show it by extending His grace toward others . . . and toward ourselves.  I'm not talking cheap grace here.  I'm referring to true, endless, soul-healing grace.

Life stinks sometimes--it has since that first bite of forbidden fruit long ago.  My "platitudes" listed above are based on truth, but that doesn't make them easy for me or anyone else to practice consistently. But easy isn't usually best.  Let's encourage each other to go ahead and cry . . . but to not wallow.  Let's be honest with people we trust with our own struggles and be willing to listen to those who trust us.  And let's point ourselves and others to Jesus, the One who makes life truly beautiful again.

 

 Rio Juarez's life really stinks! Is she stuck there?  Hers is one of the remarkable story lines in my Christian fiction series, Places.  Click here!

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