The Hidden Hand of Providence

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those called according to His purpose.”
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Romans 8:28

The Christ-centered life is not like a joy ride around a still and peaceful lake, but an extreme adventure down a winding river, full of rapids and plummeting waterfalls as the Savior of your soul, who is also the Captain of your raft, steers your life. Sound exciting? Well, that’s not all. Most of the times as you are plunging through angry rapid the light seems to disappear. Darkness envelopes you in a heart crushing force as fears, doubts, and questions fill your mind. What’s happening? Where’s God? Why isn’t He at work in my life? Why is Jesus putting me through this? Doesn’t He care? The once amazing adventure has turned into a horror story, right? But wait...

Behind the pain, confusion, frustration, struggle, suffering, blessing, joy, peace, and everything else you experience and go through in life is an invisible hand leading, directing, orchestrating, and unfolding a plan that was determined before the foundation of the world. The hand of God’s providence is never absent from the ones who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Perhaps at times you may feel as though the waves and rapids of life determine your direction, but really hidden from your eyes is a loving, heavenly Father who works everything together for your good and His glory. Do not rely upon sight for it will fail you; but, believe in God’s promises and look at life through the eyes of faith.

The situations God brings into your life may not make sense at the time, but do not doubt His love and care just because you cannot understand what He is doing. God uses suffering as refining fire. He crushes His children in order to make them into vessels He can use, He empties His people of earthly joy in order to fill them with true, heavenly joy, and He causes all things (suffering, sickness, joy, happiness, disappointment, death, life, sin, sadness, etc) to work together for GOOD…to those who love God…to those called according to His purpose.

Sometimes it is tough to sit back and enjoy the ride God is taking you on in life, but when it comes right down to it that is all you can do. Your life is in God’s hands, so love Him and enjoy life---the good and the bad. Trust in the Lord…rest in His love…wait upon Him. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is the very thing you need to do…Sit back and enjoy the ride. It may not be easy or fun, but remember that the Captain of your raft is completely in control and directing your life where it needs to go. He loves you and is doing what is best for you. So love God and enjoy life…it will be an amazing ride!