Devotion:When Things Blow Up in Your Face

When Things Blow Up in Your Face

By Marsha Iddings

1 Kings 19:2-4 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"

Elijah had been led of God to have a show down between the prophets of God and the prophets of Baal and then he had all the prophets of Baal killed. But when it was all done Jezebel threatened to kill him and he fled for his life into the wilderness. Depressed, he asked God to take his life.

Have you ever had an experience like this? You have prayed and asked God for guidance and direction in some issue and finally felt peace about a certain course of action only to have it blow up in your face. You begin to question whether God was really leading or you were being presumptuous and wonder where you went wrong.

I recently had this experience. I had prayed for wisdom in knowing what to do about the tendonitis in my arms. I prayed God would give guidance to my physical therapist in advising me. I had peace that steroid injections was probably the next step and what I should do. But I was not prepared for the after effects. Like Elijah, I had sudden and profound depression that hit me from out of no where along with many other bad side effects. I began to question why God would lead me to have this treatment if it was going to affect me in this way. I also questioned whether or not God really did give me guidance in this. Perhaps I acted presumptuously. Yet, I said I believed that God is in control of all things. How could I reconcile it all? Here is what I learned:

• I had to settle it in my heart that God IS in control and He has allowed this difficulty in my life for a reason.

• God showed Elijah that He comes as a still small voice and not necessarily with big productions and powerful displays. I had to stop and listen for His still small voice in the turmoil of my trials. (1 Kings 19:12)

• I also had to learn that depression doesn't always come as a result of some inherit weakness on my part. Sometimes it is a result of medications, or physical needs such as nourishment, rest and hydration that need to be met.

• God tended to Elijah's needs during his depression by sending angels to bring him water, and food and allowing him to rest. I learn from this that it's important that I take care of my body especially during times of stress and that God does care for His own.

Romans 8:28 tells me that "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Joni Eareckson-Tada, paralyzed from the neck down from a diving accident at the age of 17 says this:

"God permits what He hates, to accomplish something he loves...That fact doesn't sit well with us, but think of the alternative. Imagine a God who insisted on a hands-off policy toward the evil barreling our way...evil would be uncontrolled. But thank God he curbs it."

Take comfort that in the fact that God is in control of your situation. He will give you grace to persevere until His perfect will and purpose are accomplished.