4:274 – Drink or Drink It In?

#faithbites #faithjourney drink

Setting

I was talking to a friend about the struggles we have going on but all the goodness that is happening. I said I am trying to drink it all in and she responded that sometimes we just need to drink. We joke about drowning our sorrows, while some actually do it. Drinking can help in moderation but as we know, doesn’t make the problem go away. I’m trying to focus less on numbing the pain and more on focusing on what is in our control (with the help of God) and what isn’t.

Today’s Questions: What do you do for those things not in your control? How do you balance downing your sorrows (however that may happen), ignoring the problem, giving the problem to God, or working on it?

Scripture

• John 13:7 – “Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t understand now, but afterward you will know.”
• Jeremiah 17:7-8 – “The man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence indeed is the Lord, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water; it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

Reflection

So many things are out of our control. We just can’t, as much as we want to, control everything. Things will make us happy, angry, sad, upset, and hopeless. Jesus tells us that he is doing things we don’t understand. We don’t know why bad things happen to good people or good things happen to seemingly bad people. We don’t get it. God has a plan for everything. (No God doesn’t cause harm (post old testament) but that’s a discussion for another day). In Jeremiah, we see the image of a tree planted by the water. We have strong roots but they are nourished by the soil and seek out the water of God. We may not always know where the water is but we will search for it, drink of it, and understand.

I trust in the Lord, even when it’s hard, painful, easy, or joyous. And yes, I often joke that it’s time to drink. It’s those times when I need to be drinking the water and seeking the light of Jesus even more.

As we close, will you drink in the glory of God and looking to him for answers? This is a choice that is squarely in our control. Drink up!

Prayer

Father God, thank you for always knowing up, supporting us, and having a plan. We can feel lost and out of control when we don’t know what’s going on. We can see so many things that just aren’t going according to OUR plan. It is your plan, but we don’t know it. Help us to have faith and trust in you no matter what.t When our faith is tested and our trust falters, please forgive us and help us get back on your path. We pray this in your name, Amen.