What is God saying in this season of life?

By Lisa Brittain

I once found myself whining to God about all the difficulty, injustice, and unfairness others had brought into my life. As I complained, the Holy Spirit pinched me to listen to my words and thoughts, revealing that I was entertaining the idea---the lie---that God is not good. I was not trusting Him, His plan, or His way of fulfilling His plan. I had set myself as judge. I cried out, "God, what are you saying to me?"

My dear little daughter, you are being tempted by the evil one to doubt My Goodness. If you focus on your circumstances, you will walk from doubt into unbelief. From unbelief, you will fall into wrong doing. What have my children told you?

...look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). ...if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts (v. 3:7). The Lord is my Shepherd. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:1-4).

Focus on Me---Listen for My direction---Trust Me---Walk with Me down the uncertain, shadowy path.

I was being tempted to...think my circumstances were unfair, quit, try to take control, think God was punishing me, compare my life with the lives of others. Truly the list could go on and on if I think of temptation from my perspective. But God said...You are being tempted to doubt My Goodness!

I repented of my judgments and unbelief toward the Lord. As I received His forgiveness, I blessed each person, one at a time, who had angered or hurt me, and I discovered something. Realizing temptation, turning away from it, and moving toward God is the most freeing choice I ever make in this life.

I'd thought a lot about Job and his experiences in faithfulness. He lost his children, material possessions, health and career. Yet He still trusted God and believed He is good. I decided that season of my life was the Job Test! I wanted to pass with flying colors, but would I, like Job, remain faithful to God when all around me was crumbling, burning, dying and rotting?

There is One even greater than Job. His name is Jesus. He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where the devil offered Him power, authority, and wealth if only Jesus would worship him. (Matthew 4, Luke 4). Now if Jesus, the Holy Son of God, was not spared from such incredible temptations, who am I that I should not be tested by trials and temptation?

For Jesus, that experience was the gateway through which He walked into His earthly ministry. It can be the same for me...and you. We can respond differently to our circumstances if we recognize such seasons of life as training rather than punishment. But first, we have to survive.

We must remain focused on God, listen for His voice, and stay velcroed to His side in trust and obedience. When we stay near to God...He stays near to us. When we listen...we can separate the voice of the enemy and his lies from the loving, truthful voice of our Father. When we trust God and follow Him in the dark places, keeping our hand in His...we experience the message of Psalm 23.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (vv. 5-6)