Well, I am going to backtrack a bit here before we make it to retirement. As we journeyed through all these years and changes it may have appeared easy and seamless. Nothing could be farther from the truth and I think we need to examine that a bit. The circumstances which led up to most changes were problematic to say the least.
There were decisions made without God’s council and I quite literally can identify some times when I was being led in one direction and out of fear, pride, or low self-esteem completely disobeyed.
Disobedience does have negative consequences but sometimes God also just uses circumstances to shape and mold us to become the person He wants us to be. Therefore, I don’t know the reason for the near death experiences, illness, loss, betrayal, loneliness, and heartache involved. I just know that there were a few times that I flat out said to God, “I know that you have said you will not put more on us than we can stand but I just just cannot handle all this. I’m just not as strong as you think that I am.” How funny is that? I was trying to straighten God out! Trust me. It doesn’t work that way.
Biblical Inspiration: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through God who strengthens me
Biblical Inspiration: Isaiah 64:8 – And yet, O Lord, you are our father we are the clay, and you are the potter. We are all formed by your hand.
Biblical Inspiration: Romans 9:20 – No, don’t say that, who are you, a mere human to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it “why have your made me like this?”.
Biblical Inspiration: Ecclesiastes 7:14 – When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
Lesson in a Nutshell: There is a price for disobedience but God forgives and enables us to move past it.
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