The problem most of the time isn't what's happening to us, but rather how we SEE what is happening to us. It is how we are perceiving it's effect on us that is actually the most damaging to us.
I would see in in the book of Hosea.
Dishonor by the stubborn Israelites.
Divine brokenness.
An unfaithful people.
A nation destroyed by rejection and disobedience.
Severe judgment.
Ahh... but reconciliation.
Beautiful redemption.
We see that even in times of judgement... God is still good. Even in times of chastisement... He is still faithful.
Because the aim of God's judgement is always, always ALWAYS restoration.
God's mercy isn't in opposition to His judgement... mercy is extended THROUGH judgement, not instead of.
Chapter 2, verse 22 says that in the day of the Lord's answer to the cries of help, the people of God will answer, "Jezreel", which means, "God plants!"
And so perhaps it is with us - the Jesus people who are living in the light of His glory and with the knowledge and experience of divine grace - we see Him as the God who plants.
That He is a good Father - even in the midst of what seems ugly and distorted and tragic.
Too often our focus is in the disappointments and not in the dependability of our good God. On the faithfulness of His covenant. On the promises of His provision.
And so the question becomes the most important one I can ever ask - am I feasting myself on that which God is doing? Am I choosing to see, with eyes wide, the good He is establishing through crises and upheaval? Because if I am not feasting on that which He is doing and that which He is saying, I am partnering with a lie and participating in the hopelessness that is counterproductive to my spiritual growth.
We must fuel an atmosphere of anticipation for all we are going to see the Lord do through these trying times. And celebrate His goodness and grace with every fiber of our being.
It matters. It really, really matters!
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