doubt · faith · family · infertility · life is messy · scripture

Wrestling

About a year ago, this post hit the viral airwaves. It was all over Facebook and was all the rage in Christian circles. I read it then, and I really loved it. I see it pop up again, now and then, usually (ironically?) from people who have just had major “blessings” in their lives.

I wonder if they realize they go from posting that article on their Facebook page to something like “Oh! God has blessed us with a new job, new house, new car AND a new baby, all in five day! Isn’t God GREAT?!!” all within the span of about 48 hours.

I digress.

I am really wrestling with this concept of God blessing Christians.

Because in my study of Scriptures?

He doesn’t.

Not in this lifetime, and not on this earth.

Yes, Jesus said He came so we can have life, and have it to the fullest.

And someday? In Heaven? We cannot even imagine.

But He also guaranteed that our lives would be full of trouble.

He never said we would have a life of ease…of receiving everything we want…of getting everything we ask for in prayer (because you have to study ALL of what He says about prayer, not just one or two verses that make it sound like God is a genie in the sky).

So I really struggle with why one friend is now separated by an entire country from his wife and four daughters, because he had to find a new job, and they cannot sell their house. He quit his last job because of integrity, and following the Bible, and being one of the godliest men on the planet. And now?

And now.

Why isn’t God moving in their lives?

But I have multiple other friends who sell their houses in just a few days, and then proclaim, “It’s ALL God!”

Really?

In America we are so quick to assign these great big huge things to God…

When it might not be God at all…

I mean…

What if God IS moving in my aforementioned friends’ lives, but He is doing so in such a way as to grow and stretch their faith? What if He is teaching them a lesson on trust and obedience and faith and patience and how our rewards are not in this lifetime?

Which is the greater blessing?

Wrestling.

I also am wrestling with this, because infertility once again rears its ugly head, as my brother and sister-in-law announce their third pregnancy. I am SO happy for them, please don’t get me wrong. I am SO SO SO happy for them. But they don’t follow God.

Why, God?

Why the blessings of multiple babies to a family that doesn’t live according to Scripture, which proclaims children a blessing to the righteous?

Quit saying God is blessing you…

Unless you can fully explain why He isn’t blessing those around you…

Because you make them question His very existence…

4 thoughts on “Wrestling

  1. My husband and I are in a very similar situation, “waiting on God's timing” for the sale of our house and the international disconnect it causes us in the meantime while we manage it. It's hard. And it's harder when I see all the houses that have sold while we try to patiently wait for God to remember us. Thank you for this post. It reminded me that people do think about these kinds of marital hardships. We're not as forgotten as we feel sometimes…

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  2. I rarely leave comments on blogs but you got me on this one! I completely see your point and think the same things often…especially the infertility issue. So “you” are blessed because you are pregnant…so does that mean I'm NOT blessed because I can't have a baby although I would love to?! I've had these conversations with my husband about everything (babies, jobs, life, etc) and his response every time…we have to let God be and His will be done. If we start questioning one thing, we will start questioning, and often doubting, everything! For now I will keep my head up, thank God for the life and love that I have and move on in this world! PS: Love your blog – I've been following for quite some time šŸ™‚

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  3. Hope, I will pray for your marriage! Thanks for de-lurking and leaving a comment šŸ™‚ And, no, you are not forgotten. God is the God who sees. Always!

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  4. Lisa! YES!! YES!! YES!! I would love someone to explain to me why I'm NOT “blessed enough” to conceive. Our husbands sound a lot alike šŸ™‚ (it's kind of annoying, sometimes, yes? šŸ™‚ ) And there are many days I thank God for the small things, because I figure at least I *have* those things. Thanks for commenting!

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