Do you ever get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you look up from your couch and notice an 18-inch crack in your family room wall? It’s a feeling that is really difficult to explain. What do we typically do? We quickly dream up the worst-case scenario. Our foundation is broken, termites have destroyed the walls, the house is falling in, our homeowner’s insurance will be denied, and we’ll be living on the street with no roof over our heads. Worst case, right?
How about that scream you hear at the other side of the house from your children as they say, “THE TOILET IS OVERFLOWING, THE TOILET IS OVERFLOWING!” To be honest, I hate those four words. Really. Especially when the children have been in the bathroom for an extended period of time before flushing! I think you get the picture. Worst case, right? Well in our minds we think about the clean up, drying the floor, the water damage because of the excess water from the toilet, the bathroom floor replacement, and all the time and effort it is going to take to bring things back to normal. Uggh!
Sometimes, we become discouraged because of physical issues. Maybe the healing process after a surgery is more of a marathon than a sprint. Maybe the pain is almost more than we can bear. Maybe we have a terminal or recurring illness or issue that drains us emotionally and physically. Again, when it rains, it pours. What do we do when rain comes our way? Do we rush to judgment and think the worst?
Well, if your house is like mine, when it rains, it pours! A limp becomes major surgery. A sore tooth becomes a root canal. An aching back becomes back surgery. Several things break at the same time and they are usually necessary items like the toilet, garbage disposal, or clothes dryer. I know we can always hang the towels out on a line between two trees, but that just makes the towels stiff and uncomfortable, especially when you need a soft one after a shower. Maybe it’s just me, but I like soft towels. Anybody else? And then there is the underwear. Who wants to see hanging underwear in your back yard? I won’t even go there.
Here are a few ideas to help you when it pours rain at your house!
- Trust in the Lord. It’s much easier to say trust when someone else is in the midst of trouble in their lives. But, when it’s us, trust becomes a little more difficult. Scripture tells us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Are we really trusting Him?
- Pray to the Lord. “Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). When is the last time you actually begged God during your times of anxiousness and trial? There is something about the fervent prayer of a righteous person (James 5:16).
- Wait on the Lord. God’s timing is perfect. I have found that when we wait, God grows our faith, increases our strength, establishes our resolve, develops our patience, and provides sure footing for whatever comes our way. He never promises to keep us from the difficult times, but He does promise to stay close by our side and care for us as we experience those times. Honestly, what gets me is patience. I sometimes become so impatient that I try to jump ahead of God’s timing. When I do that, I miss the things God is trying to teach me.
What should we do when unexpected difficulty happens in our lives? Trust, pray, and wait. You’ll be amazed at what God will teach you.