Wait for the Joy

A three-year old child just starting school was expected to ride the bus across campus to the building where her mother worked. Many children ride buses every day, but this was something totally foreign to her and caused much anxiety. As students were loading the bus, she walked right up to the door and then ran away screaming.

Finally her teacher took her by the hand and stepped onto the bus with her. She rode the bus to her destination without fear because the teacher she trusted walked with her through the situation that caused so much anxiety. When she stepped off the bus to meet her mother, she ran screaming with joy and glowing with excitement about what had been accomplished all because her loving teacher led her through it.

We often face frightening circumstances which leave us wanting to run the other direction to avoid the situation. Unfortunately it isn’t as easy as running away from the bus. Disappointment, grief, evil, and pain can strike at any time and can often cause us to feel hopeless because things are completely out of our control. There are no words to say, no instant fix, nothing left but to trust God.

Job was a man of integrity who feared God and avoided evil, but he still suffered many hardships. He lost his flocks, servants, children, and even his health. Things were so bad that his wife encouraged Job to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Yet he remained faithful and continued to praise God. To his wife he replied, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all of this, Job did not sin in what he said (Job 2:10).

Even though Job could not understand why God would allow these events in his life, he was confident that God would take care of him. However, there were times that he felt frustrated just as we sometimes do. He even complained and questioned God, but he never blamed God.

Job never got answers to his questions, but he became content with the understanding that through it all God had a plan. Finally, in Job 42:2-3, Job says, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me.” During those moments in life when we don’t understand and want to just run away from the pain, grief, disappointment, and evil in the world, strive to continue praising God, remain faithful, and wait for the joy to come. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “We don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”

Whatever has you frozen in fear or running the other direction to escape, may be the very thing that God is waiting to take your hand and guide you through. If you will just trust Him, He will be with you for the duration of the ride, sitting right beside you, and getting you safely to the destination He has planned for you.

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Photo credits: flickr.com