Some things are easy to say when they are hypothetical. It is easy to say, “Everything is going to be fine,” when it is currently. It’s easy to say, “I trust God,” when things are going smoothly. It’s easy to say, “It’s not a problem; it’s only a situation,” (see last week’s post) when you are not in the middle of it.
But when the “situation” happens, it can easily seem like a problem!
Last night, I plugged in my iPhone for the latest software update. Next thing I knew, I got a message that my phone could not be updated, it would have to be “restored.” Restoration is good, right? If you know anything about the technology, you know that “restored” means that it is reset to “factory settings.”
Hey, that’s like a new phone! Cool! Not cool! My iPhone 4S, purchased in 2012, when it was on sale after the release of the iPhone 5, DID NOT COME FROM THE FACTORY WITH ALL MY STUFF ON IT!
So, mister blog writing smarty pants, is that just a “situation” or is it a problem?
I must confess that for the past few hours, I’ve really treated it like a problem. I’ve stressed over lost messages and photos (knowing that back-ups exist SOMEWHERE, but not exactly sure where). My attention has been on my phone instead of on today’s goals. And then, God gently reminded me that what I said in the afterglow of a vacation in paradise really is true when the “situation” happens in the real world.
The phone situation really isn’t earth shattering. It is a situation that I will deal with at some point today. I’ll find whatever backups I can and will move on. But what about situations that may be earth shattering?
I got a message from a friend who told me about getting a phone call concerning a medical emergency with his toddler son. I am being intentionally vague because I have not asked his permission to share the specifics. Dad was on the road when the call came. He had recently been proclaiming his trust in God as his refuge. With that phone call came the test of whether he really believed what he said. The message he sent me was his testimony about how God met him in his “situation.”
On one occasion, Jesus was approached by a man who asked for help with a situation with his son. Jesus told him, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:23-24)
What a great prayer of faith. My paraphrase, “I believe you. I want to believe you completely. Meet me where my belief falls short and carry me the rest of the way with your grace.”
Our lives matter so much to God that He will meet us right in the middle of our “situations.”
And His “restoration” is amazing.
Question: What is the risk of treating situations like problems?
Leave a comment. I’d love to learn from your perspective.
