So life isn't really working out how I wanted it to...

So we’re half way through 2015. I’m sure most people had high expectations of this year; you know, the classic “This year I’m going to be a better me” or “In 2015 I’m going to lose 10kgs” or “Yes, definitely 2015 is the year I’ll stop smoking”. But then reality hits and you realise your resolutions may actually be very difficult to achieve (I mean cake is so darn good, how is a person supposed to say no to that?!) or maybe your expectations just haven’t been met.

Personally, this year has been nothing like I intended it to be. I honestly thought that 2015 would be this amazing year, I mean I’m in my final year of school, so obviously I would just love and appreciate every moment, right? Wrong. Then the school work and tests came knocking, marks went dropping and my brain went flopping (okay that last one doesn’t make sense, but I wanted to keep up the rhyme scheme :P hehe check me being all poetic…)
I went through a stage this week where I was really just so over it, I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been that negative in my whole life! But you know what, God just reminded me that it’s normal to go through slumps and you don’t stay at the bottom of a hill forever, eventually you’ve got to climb up. Also, Ephesians 4:31 tells us to “get rid of all bitterness” , and so by only thinking about the things that may be going wrong in your life, you’re just setting yourself up for more hurt and disappointment. Instead of allowing the slump you may be in to get to you, we should rather just do something about it; after all, that hill isn’t going to climb itself!

I feel that many people, and Christians especially, have this idealistic view of life: that it’s going to be amazing and wonderful and nothing will ever go wrong. And I say Christians, because I’ve heard of so many people who think once they start following God, everything is just going to work out perfectly. But, the truth is, life is hard. God warns us time and time again, throughout His Word, that we will face trouble or even persecution, and that we will be mocked. 2 Timothy 3:12 even says, “In fact, EVERYONE who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”. It doesn’t say “Only Joe Soap will face persecution” or “Only Christians who don’t eat their vegetables will face persecution”. No, it says EVERYONE. I’m not English teacher, but I’m pretty sure “everyone” means every single Christian.

Now persecution may not necessarily mean being thrown into a lions’ den or being martyred or something. To persecute means “to subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs”. I believe persecution may come in other forms too, maybe subtle forms, but definitely forms that impact you as a human being. For example, maybe you have some friends who aren’t Christians and they never invite you out with them because they’re scared you’ll be a “wet blanket” or maybe they fear you’ll criticize what they do. Another form may be a fellow co-worker or peer that says hurtful comments about your Christianity, either directly to you or in a less direct manner. These are just two random examples, but I hope you get the idea.

The thing is, life isn’t easy and God doesn’t promise us that it will be. He does, however, promise us that heaven is going to be ammmmmmaazing (Revelations 22:1-5, 1 Corinthians 2:7-9) and Paul even says “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Then Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Also, remember that it’s normal to experience slumps, but keep in mind that God will lift you through it. Isaiah 40:30-31 tells us, “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  

Yes, life may not be working out exactly way that you wanted it to, but remember that God’s plan is bigger than our own. In addition, He hasn’t left us to deal with the struggles of the world alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you.” How awesome is that! Life can be scary, and sad and sometimes you may feel weak or alone, but YOU have got the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE on YOUR side, watching over you, taking caring of you. Do you get how absolutely incredible that is? In fact, not only is God watching over us, but Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength”. The true gift of knowing God and experiencing His glory gives us the strength to tackle any problem, to fight any negative feelings, and mostly, to give us the strength we need to make a change.

Lastly, remember, there is a difference between happiness and joy. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and so basically, it’s one of the characteristics that God wants us to show. Yes, joy is basically happiness, but I think it’s a lot more than that. Happiness is feeling pleasure about something, but it’s such a fickle feeling. I mean you may be happy that your rugby teams win a game, but then when they lose the next game, that happiness doesn’t really last. I’d say that joy is almost a more mature , consistent feeling of happiness. Rick Warren wrote, “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”

Life is very inconsistent, and it’s not guaranteed that you’ll always feel happy in it. But that’s why we need joy; that confidence that God is there and He is and will help you through it. Joy is that feeling of knowing that even though right now, things may not be working out, they will come right eventually. Joy is trusting God with everything and knowing He’ll work out everything for the best (Romans 8:28). If you battle with feeling joy, just remember that with everything in life, practise makes perfect; take it step by step. Pray and ask God to help you put joy into practise, then make use of opportunities to show and feel joy. For example, this is just random, but let’s say you have didn’t make the sports team you wanted to get into. Look at it positively: know you did your best and tried your hardest, and tell yourself and believe that God probably has another plan for you, maybe it’s to be in another team or maybe it’s to do something completely different, that doesn’t involve sport. Then don’t give up, persevere and allow God to direct your way up the hill to get you to the top on the best trail possible.

Now please don’t think I’m telling you that life is awful and horrible and that it’ll never work out right, because that is definitely not what I’m saying. It’s just that you may face hardship in life, and it’s important to wear the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and be ready for whatever curveball may come your way. Keep smiling and stay strong, because you’re here for a reason and your life has a purpose far greater than you can even imagine. The question is, are you ready to fulfil that purpose? Are you brave enough to give complete control to God and allow Him to lead the way? Are you prepared to shine joy, even when life may be trying to burn that light out?

Just remember, John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

For I know the plans I have for you...

I’m actually very embarrassed to share this story, but it did inspire this blog post so here it goes:

I did my driver’s license almost two weeks ago and guess what? I failed. If that wasn’t bad enough, I literally failed in the first 30 seconds on my first parking because I hit into a pole. Only once before have I hit into something while driving and that was someone’s fence in my complex (in my defence, I had just started driving and hadn’t really mastered the art of reversing yet…).

I was honestly so ready to do my license, and I was nervous, but also super confident because I was a pro at parking and I had eventually gotten the hang of doing all the checks and handbrake starts and all that other stuff that normal drivers stop doing as soon as they get their license.
And wow did I pray! I got my prayer groups to pray, I got my grandparents’ small group to pray, my friends and family were praying, and I was praying throughout the day. I honestly felt so confident and ready. But then D-Day came and I got into the car and I went BLANK. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt that way? Maybe in a test or interview, you feel prepared but then it happens and you’re sitting there with your brain deciding to take a quick vacation to Hawaii without you.

I was so, so angry at myself and disappointed. I like to achieve, and when I don’t, I get very irritated with myself. And to be completely honest, I was even a little irritated with God. I mean I prayed; isn’t God supposed to answer prayers?

But then I clicked.

God does answer prayers, however it isn’t always in the way that you’d like them to be answered, and God’s plan for your life may not necessarily be your plan for your life.

I can tell you right now, so far God’s plan for my life isn’t exactly what I imagined it to be when I first became a Christian. I thought I’d never have another worry again, I’d be happy all the time, I’d wake up feeling God’s presence in powerful ways every day and then go to bed having had an amazing day in which I’d appreciate everything that happened because my God gave me that day.
That was my ideal, but my reality is a lot different. I still worry all the time (at this rate, I will probably look all wrinkly by the time I’m 21), I’m not happy all the time, I go through phases when I don’t necessarily feel God, and I don’t always have good days- sounds pretty horrible, right?

NO!

Life isn’t the ideal you always imagine it to be; but with God, IT IS SO MUCH BETTER, even if you don’t always realise it. For example, I remember that when I first moved to Durban, I honestly didn’t enjoy it at all. I just wanted to go back to Joburg and be near my old friends and my family. I wondered why God would let me be in this situation and why I had to move to Durban of all places- I mean it’s awesome for holidays, but to live there?! However, after I had adjusted to the relaxed vibe and very English way of pronouncing ‘fish’, ‘Kloof’ and ‘hill’, I actually ended up loving it, especially the beach. I’m so glad I live here now, and to be honest, I’m soooooo sad to leave next year! Although moving here may have not been my own plan for my life, God had a different idea and it all worked out for the best.

Isaiah 55:8 says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.”

I just think that verse is absolutely awesome! God doesn’t think the same way we do, His ways (i.e. manner or characteristics) are not the same as ours. This is just so reassuring; I mean imagine God always acted the same way we did. If He acted like a proper female, He’d have probably made all rivers chocolate (although that seems wonderful, just think how gross it would be- anyone could bath in the chocolate rivers or animals could die in it and all that… ew…), and although the world may then be neat and orderly, there would be about a week once a month where you’d probably want to remain indoors…
And if God acted like a typical male, the only thing we’d be allowed to watch would be sport-related and the average human diet would consist of biltong, boerewors and beer!

Then we get Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.

God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, so naturally He’d be able to do more than we could do, to form things we never thought possible. “For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37.

Now although you may not know what God’s plan for your life is, and even though life may not be going the way you’d necessarily like it to be going, just remember:

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Isaiah 58:11, “The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

God knows what you’re going through, He knows EXACTLY how you feel. But we have to remember that even though things are uncertain now, or even though you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing or you don’t like how things are working out, God will allow it to work out for good and in the best possible way, you just have to trust Him. He will guide you and help you and show you the way to go.

I saw a picture once that said God’s 3 answers to prayers were “Yes”, “No” or “I’ve got something better in mind”. If you’re praying for something and it you aren’t getting it, remember that God may just have a different plan in store for you, a better plan. Also, Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” If something isn’t happening now or isn’t going to plan now, remember that there is a time for everything. Maybe now is just not the right time for it to happen, so don’t let it worry you too much.

Lastly, remember that it is essential to spend time with God and in His Word, it is the best way to hear and learn what God has in store for you and why what you’re praying for may not be working out right now. I believe there is a lesson to be learnt in everything. With me failing my driver’s license, I learnt a few personal lessons that I can now implement into my life and that can help me to become a better me.

God’s Word is a lamp for your feet and a light unto your path (Psalm 119:105), it isn’t a spotlight to tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. We have freedom of choice and we do have a big say in how our future will end up, so it’s okay not to know what to do and it’s okay if things may not be working out just as you planned. However, if you want your future to be the absolute best it can be, allow God to take your hand and lead the way.

“God has a perfect plan for us. He never does it all at once, just step by step, because He wants to teach us to walk by faith and not by sight.” (iBelieve.com)

So get ready, strap in, and trust God; you’ll go places you never even imagined, reach heights you never even thought possible. And remember, it’s often the times where we don’t have everything planned out that the best memories are made.