Confused about Life (when God makes no sense)

Am I the only one who’s ever been confused about life? I think not.

That’s why so many people are searching for answers. Often in all the wrong places. (Been there!)

But what about in Christian circles? I confess that we haven’t escaped this conundrum of the mysteries of life either.

Let’s be honest.

Sometimes God’s ways simply don’t make sense.

That’s why I love that my friend, Melanie Redd wrote this very daring post. I know we’re not the only ones who’ve thought this very thing. Thankfully, Melanie has dared to say it out loud, helping others bravely step out and say, ‘me too’.

Today, for the #SummerSizzleBlogHop series, Melanie is going where many won’t.

She’s a brave woman and also a dear friend, from whom I’m learning so much. She has a heart to love big, even (and especially) when life doesn’t make sense. I pray you’ll be blessed  and encouraged by her words. In fact, she’s one of the most encouraging women I know (online and in person), so I know you won’t be disappointed!

By the way, if you haven’t heard yet, the #SummerSizzleBlogHop series features nine inspiring Christian bloggers. We’re showcasing our best and most popular Christian faith content to encourage you this summer. If you missed any you can catch them all here.  Be sure to stop by next week to see who’s in the spotlight.

But for now, it’s Melanie’s turn to share some truth with us! If you’ve ever for a moment been confused about life and God’s plans, then this is for you.

 

Confused About Life: When God’s Ways Make No Sense

By Melanie Redd

Anything with a needle and thread, she could whip into a masterpiece.

She was an incredible seamstress, she knitted, she did counted cross stitch, and she crocheted. Every piece she created was beautiful, intricate in detail, and quite fantastic.

She was my grandmother, and I tried to follow in her footsteps.

First, we tried sewing with a pattern.

Then, we moved to knitting, cross-stitching, and crocheting. Whether it was my lack of patience or lack of skill, I don’t really know. But, I could never really master her sewing skills.

Finally, we discovered something I could do – hook rugs.

Maybe you’ll remember these? There was a hook that you held in your hand, thousands of short pieces of colored yarn, and a large piece of plastic with a picture stamped on the back.

To complete a hook rug, all you had to do was hook the yarn onto the correct section of the colored plastic. You just followed the picture. (I must say that I was really quite awesome at this “skill!”)

Looking back on those days, I also remember something interesting about the hook rugs…From the front of the plastic, you could not see the picture that you were creating. It was just white plastic with pieces of yarn hooked to it.

To get the whole picture, you had to flip the plastic over. The real “pattern” was on the backside of the plastic, only visible to the one who was creating it.

In recent days, I’ve thought about how our lives are a lot like those hook rugs.

We can only see the front of the plastic of our lives. Some pieces of yarn are sticking out, but we have no idea what the finished picture will look like (or even what it’s supposed to be.)

Only Almighty God knows and can see the whole picture for our lives!

He has a pattern and a plan, and He is very slowly and methodically creating our masterpiece.

Some days, this is very hard.

I want to see the picture on the back of the plastic.

I want to know what God is doing!

Why did He allow this or that?

What is going on?

Why is this happening?

What on earth is God up to?

Why did He do this instead of that?

Maybe you’ve also wondered some of these same things.

I think we all reach points in our lives when we wonder what is going on! What is God doing? What is He up to?

On those days and in those moments when we’re confused about life, what can we do?

How should we respond when God and His ways make NO SENSE at all?

There is really no magic formula here.

There is not a list of steps we can take so that we will understand.

However, I do believe there are some promises from scripture that we can cling to when life gets confusing.

We can hold fast to these truths when life is confusing.

 

Here are 5 Biblical Promises I cling to when God doesn’t make sense:

1. Remember God doesn’t THINK like us.

Sometimes, we try to understand what God is doing and what He is thinking. It’s never going to happen! He’s God! We aren’t!

His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are greater than our thoughts. He’s not held back by sin or by any baggage, dysfunction, or prejudice.

God is completely holy. He is totally perfect. He is in control of all things – including our lives!

Our God is all-wise and all-knowing. Sometimes we just have to trust that He knows best!

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) is the text I go to when I’m doubting God’s wisdom,

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are FAR BEYOND ANYTHING YOU COULD IMAGINE.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

2. Remember He is God; we are not.

Oh, what a relief this one is! God is God; we are not.

He is able to handle the cares of this world, the cares of people, and the cares of our lives.

He is not limited by anything. He is God!

When I question God and His ways, I often have to park myself in Isaiah 40.

Here is just a sampling: (verses 12-14, 18, 22)

“Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
    Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth
    or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?
    Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
 Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
    Does he need instruction about what is good?

To whom can you compare God?
    What image can you find to resemble him?

God sits above the circle of the earth.
    The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!”

 

3. Remember God always does what is BEST for us.

God always does what is best for us. Always! Every single time!

And, He can coordinate my best with your best. He is wise enough to do what is best for every living soul on this planet!

I don’t have to send Him instructions. I don’t have to try to micromanage God. He is completely able to manage it all by Himself!

Our God is intricately involved in the details of my life and of yours.

My favorite promise on this subject comes from Jeremiah 29:11 NLT,

“FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

4. Remember God is FOR us.

One of my sweet mentors taught me this truth! Regularly she would say to me, “Melanie, remember, God is FOR you.”

So, when I would walk into uncomfortable situations, I would remind myself, “The Lord is FOR me!”

You can do this same thing!

As you are walking through life’s challenges and difficulties, remind yourself, “The Lord is FOR me!”

Where do I get this truth?

Check out Psalm 118:6 NLT,

“THE LORD IS FOR ME, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?”

5. Remember God NEVER leaves us alone. He never forsakes us.

Oh, I love this promise from the Bible!

He is with us! The Lord will never leave us or forsake us!

We can take this promise to the bank – no matter what is happening around us.

No matter who is leading our country.

No matter what is going on in your family. 

No matter what is happening with your health.

No matter how low your bank account goes.

No matter what is happening at your church or on your job.

No matter how crazy things get… God is always, always, always with us.

You can find this promise throughout scripture. I chose to highlight Isaiah 41:10 NLT,

“Don’t be afraid, FOR I AM WITH YOU.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

I love this poem that I found many years ago. 

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve.
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brains to work.
I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.
I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait.
I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help.
I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.
I asked for everything so I could enjoy life. 
Instead, He gave me life so I could enjoy everything.
I received nothing I wanted, I received everything I needed.

(Author Unknown)

And, the words to this song always remind me to keep trusting God – even when I don’t understand.

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we can’t
See how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth

Our Father knows what’s best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just can’t see Him,
Remember you’re never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

He sees the master plan
He holds the future in His hand,
So don’t live as those who have no hope,
All our hope is found in Him.

We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and last
And like a tapestry, He’s weaving you and me,
To someday be just like Him

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don’t understand
When don’t see His plan
When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

when you don’t understand
When you don’t see His plan

When you can’t trace His hand
Trust His Heart

(Song by Babbie Mason)

How about you?

Have you ever felt confused about life? Where did you find hope?

Is there a favorite scripture that comes to mind? We’d love for you to share it in the comments below.

Meet Melanie

Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Marketing and Social Media Consultant. She’s married to Randy and mom to two awesome college students. God’s grace never ceases to amaze her.

You can find out more about Melanie & her ministry at www.melanieredd.com.

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