Christian Living

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Giving God A Chance
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


In October, 1929 following the crash of the United States stock market, it was reported that a top Wall Street executive lost his job of more than 30 years. Following his loss, he considered suicide as his only option. He was reported to have gone into his bedroom where he had a loaded pistol prepared to end it all. He could have ended it in a matter of minutes but his conscientious stopped him. He thought, “What if my wife went to church? What would the preacher say to her? What would other people say to her? Would I embarrass her? How would she be able to take care of herself?” He held off.

That night he tossed and turned in his bed. In the morning he sat down for breakfast. He was a nervous wreck. As he began to read the daily newspaper, the telephone rang. It was one of his friends who had heard that he and other employees of his previous employer had lost their jobs. The former executive learned that the owner wanted to expand his business and needed a man of his caliber in his new position. It was the chance of a lifetime! In addition, the owner offered him the position immediately doubling his income over his previous job.

The now formally laid off executive went into his bedroom, found his pistol, threw if into the trash can and fell on his knees to give thanks to God that he did not proceed with what he had planned to do the day before.

In this author's life, I have come to learn that every living person will suffer loss, failure, misunderstanding, and misery to one degree or another. Some suffering will be so tragedic and painful that death seems the ONLY option. Yet success is never final and a person’s loss or misery seldom fatal when a person puts their faith, hope and trust in God. When a person fails, loses someone or some-thing, commits a serious mistake or fails miserably because of something he or she might have done, he or she should be extremely careful not to give in to a down period or suffering, doubt the presence or existence of God and take matters into their hands. Self condemnation only compounds problems, causes increased depression and erroneous behaviors. Rejection of God results in undue anger, pessimism, cynicism. Rather, turn your difficulties over to God in prayer, talk to your best earthly friend about what hurts or someone you can trust, and sleep on the problem. Allow God to do His work in your life. Suffering and loss is your earthly learning experience, your test of faith and character and is a determinant as to whom you trust in—God, society or yourself.

Time is said to heal. If a person does not trust in God or give Him time to show one what is to be learned, evil will triumph and all of its travesties. Prayer and time can made a monumental difference in a person’s attitude and outlook on themselves and life whether it is 24 minutes, 24 hours or 24 years!

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