Day Fourteen: Driven to Jesus (Psalms 9:9)

"The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble."

Psalms 9:9 (NLT, emphasis mine)
​

It was 10:30pm, and I was kneeling on the floor, scrubbing dishes in the master bathtub.
I could have washed those dirty dishes with my own tears.

Why, God? I just don't understand.

I got honest with Him.

You could have prevented any one of these house problems- all of them, even! Why, now, this?

It's been a year and a half since we purchased our charming little 1950's home. We fell in love with the location, the layout, and the quirkiness of it all (the previous owners built the home). God opened the door, and we walked through, knowing this was His will and His blessing.

But just because something is God's will and God's blessing does not exempt it from the trouble of this world. Over the past year we've faced, nearly every problem imaginable, at great mental and physical cost.

Can I be honest? Growing up religious, I was lied to-- given the idea that a life with God is a problem-free life and if you're experiencing trouble, you must be doing something wrong. 

But that's not the grace of God.

The grace of God says, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (Jesus, John 16:33).

The grace of God says, "In this world you will have trouble, BUT...
You can have peace in me.
I'm going to use those trials to grow your faith.
I'm going to use your troubles to make you strong and complete in me. (James 1:2-4)

This past year has been a ride, for sure. But, honest to goodness, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Every trial we faced drove me to Jesus. Every trouble that came along caused me to wrap myself up tighter in His grace to make it through. And every need that we faced, He provided. He has never failed us yet!

So I'm learning it's not about a problem-free life, it's about allowing the peace of God to transcend every circumstance and situation (Philippians 4:7), resting in-- trusting in-- His complete sovereignty. And allowing those trials to draw me closer, instead of further from Him.

​He is a refuge,
Our stronghold,
Strong fortress,
Safe hiding place. 

Dwelling in Him,