I’ll admit it. My dog is spoiled. He has three dog beds throughout our house, but of course, he sleeps in bed with us at night. I bought him a doggy raincoat because he doesn’t like going out in the rain. He has an entire bin of dog treats in our kitchen pantry. Plus, if I’m eating something, chances are that he is, too. He loves peanut butter, cheese, cashews, chicken, and ice cream. I told you. He is spoiled.
As much as I spoil my dog, there are times—believe it or not—that he doesn’t get whatever he wants. I make him take a bath, despite how much he hates it. I don’t always let him get into everything that he wants to explore while we’re on our walks. I don’t let him play with every dog that he wants to meet. There are even times that I refuse to share my food with him.
There are times when I feel that my Heavenly Father is treating me this way. Whether it’s putting me through a pruning process that is uncomfortable for a period of time, holding me back from things I want to explore, or even taking away seemingly good things that I feel I deserve. When I don’t understand what He is doing in my life, I can’t help but ask, “Why, God?”
In Job chapter 38 when the LORD speaks out of the storm, He asks Job
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? … Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).
Wow! What an amazing reminder of our God’s infinite power and wisdom. He laid the very foundation of the earth! We may not always see or understand all that is going on around us, but we can trust that God is always in control. When we find ourselves asking why, we can trust that His ways are always good, even in the midst of the storm!
When I withhold something from my dog, it’s never without reason. I don’t share certain foods with him because they’re not safe for dogs to eat. I don’t let him get into certain things outside that I know will make him sick. I keep him away from dogs that aren’t friendly and might hurt him. My dog doesn’t understand that this is all for his good, but I do!
What I have to remember is that God’s reasons for withholding, taking away, pruning, etcetera, are infinitely better than my reasons could ever be. As the LORD reminded us through the prophet Isaiah,
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9).
Father God, help us to trust completely in You. When we are confused, questioning, or have found ourselves in a storm, remind us that You are the God who laid the foundation of the earth. Though we might not understand the why, help us to place our faith in who You are as our Creator and Redeemer!
“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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21).
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