“Trusting God without seeing the redemption we thought we’d get to see by now can feel like the deepest betrayal of all. It’s also what builds our faith, but sometimes we’d rather have relief than another learning opportunity.”- Lysa TerKeurst
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”- 1 Peter 5:9 (NIV)
In Chapter 7 (“How Can I Trust God When the Person Who Hurt Me Got Away with It?”) of I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t, Lysa TerKeurst notes her confusion when Christians act in a seemingly faithful manner toward others — herself not included — for everyone to see. Yet, even as Lysa wonders whose team God’s on, she realizes her own lack of perfection. That she also acts in ways that disappoint people.
Certainly, though, we want the chaos to stop. In addition, we want to know that just consequences await for the sin that has taken place. In order that the person causing the hurt will stop unleashing more hurt. Above all, God must intervene for that to happen. But, Lysa questions, will He?
Most significantly, as a way to self-protect, we turn to self-reliance. As a result, we picture scenarios in our mind where trust grows. Because things are finally turning out okay. Thus, Lysa wryly notes, she imagines writing in her journal that God defended her, that justice finally came about, and everything now makes sense. She doesn’t have that page in her journal.
Therefore, Lysa counsels:
“But I still have to fight hard not to entertain the bitterness that invites me to pitch a tent right in the unfairness and camp out in it. Otherwise, constantly thinking about what God doesn’t seem to be doing, and my desire for my version of justice to come about, can become an unhealthy focus. This focus, over time, can become an obsession that, if left unattended, can become a stronghold for the enemy of my soul.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you trust God without seeing the redemption you’d thought you’d see? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Tidy answer to all our questions?”