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DURING HARDSHIPS

Writer's picture: Danny DomingoDanny Domingo

Imagine when we lost everything. What would we do? We have seen on the news the devastation of the fast-moving massive wildfires that destroyed more than 10,000 homes in Los Angeles, CA. Many people lost their homes, and they did not have the means to rebuild their homes because they didn't have home insurance or enough insurance coverage. Since the prices in California have soured for the last few years, many major insurance companies, such as State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, Nationwide, and other major insurances, have stopped offering policies or offered reduced coverage to California homeowners because of catastrophe exposure, such as massive fires. A California homeowner testified that his Pacific Palisades home insurance went up from $4,500 to $18,000 last year, and he could not possibly afford it. As a result, many homeowners chose to cancel their insurance. Sadly, the unexpected wildfires happened this year and destroyed their homes. When tragedy happens like this, it seems it is difficult to trust the Lord. Many may ask God, "Why are you letting this to happen?" This question can lead to doubt and resentment towards God. 

 

When Job suddenly lost his possessions and children and experienced a painful illness, his wife wanted him to give up on life by advising him to curse God so that he may die with God's judgment. However, Job persevered in his faith in God. Job believed in his heart that he didn't hide any sin in his heart, and when he sinned, he immediately asked God for forgiveness. Job had been following God, yet all these disasters happened to him. He had many questions before God because he couldn't understand why God allowed all these things in his life. However, he decided in himself that although God might take his life away by arguing his innocent before Him, he would still trust God. Job said, "Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face (Job 13:15)". God eventually restored Job's life. We may not completely understand what God is doing in our lives, but one thing is for certain: He is not there to destroy us but to make us the people that God wants us to be. 

 

His goal in our lives is to transform us into godly people so that we can know Him intimately and have a deeper relationship with Him. We must trust God in the midst of our hardship because, in the end, we will reap the fruit of God's goodness in our lives.

 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What should I do when I go through hardships that are beyond my understanding? What is God's goal in my life? What lesson does God is showing me in today's devotion?

 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

 

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I may not understand the things you allow in my life, but I pray that you will help me trust you completely. You completely understand all the circumstances of my life. You know my fears and worries. Please help me look up to you and trust you completely, believing that you are going to work things out according to your perfect will. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen. 

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