"Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what your going to get" is a famous line by Forrest Gump. The truth of that quote has been echoing in my head. Sometimes life is good as you drink in the beauty of the blessings that surround you. Sometimes life is normal and comfortable to help you even out. Then, sometimes life makes you feel hard-pressed on every side.
Many times when we face situations like this we view God as our Staples easy button. When the storm hits and our circumstances push our faith to the limit - we cry out to God and frantically push our easy button of prayer. We don't take into account that many times our situation is the way it is because of the choices we have made. Many times we don't consider that we approach God as His faithful servants and we haven't spoken to Him in days. Sometimes even weeks. While God will be with you to give you strength and peace and guide you through, be reminded that He is not an easy button.
Choices we make have consequences. Consequences that will take time to heal. Consequences that strike us down. Consequences that leave us feeling confused and uncertain. Those consequences we will have to deal with. It is the results of our choices. That is Life.
God allows life to hard press us at times to break us down. He pushes us to the edge of our faith to drive us to a deeper dependence on us. He knows that through our weakness, He can work through us, and make us stronger. I love the verse in 2 Corinthians 4: 8,9 that reads: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
As we deal with consequences in our lives - be reminded that God is there. He wants to love you and mend your broken heart and spirit. He wants to transform your weakness and use it for His glory. But be reminded that this path many times is not the easiest one marked on the map. Many times it is a long and winding road full of curves. Whatever the path, God will not abandon you. He will be right there with you the entire way.
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