The one on the far left, named Mustache, was not my idea. He just happened while I was writing the story. And he is pretty darn cool!
Life is like this but we don't always usher surprises in with grace or joy or gratitude. We often get angry or frightened when things don't look like we want them too.
As I was writing my book I'd begin in a certain place but as I wrote and let the characters lead things would happen I had no idea about before. I could have squashed these surprises but it would taken the life out of the book (there is one chapter I am not sure about -- it is odd -- but I'll wait and see what my future literary agent and editor think .....I'm believing for this one).
This is what we do with our lives too when we don't go with God's Spirit's Flow; when we fight His Leading; when we rail against what is going on in our lives. All of this deadens us. We want control, but even when we think we have it we don't.
We will fall into a pit of despair if we are living the Faith life in order to get certain results. Sometimes it "works" out the way we think it should. Sometimes it doesn't. There are all sorts of formulas in the "Christian" world that are not of God. Some of them, maybe even most of them, are based on God's principals, but when our focus becomes the formula or results we are off. If we stay in that off place we will travel further and further from the truth.
Even if we have more faith than anyone ever has or will have, bad things will happen in our lives. We will be hurt. We will get sick. Loved ones will die. We may lose all our fortune. We may lose homes and vehicles and animals and children.
There are no guarantees in life when it comes to earthly things.
The only guarantee we have is the one we must rest on, live on, live out of -- the guarantee of Jesus Christ. If He is our source we will have peace. If we rest in Him, we can trust Father God with our lives and know He will work things out in such a way that even if it was a "Bad" thing that happened, we will end up being thankful for that very thing we are struggling with.
If you are a Believer and don't have peace, stop and look to God. Your focus is off.
Whenever we don't have peace or joy or contentment our focus is off, not right. God will put it right if you let Him. We can learn to be content in all things like Paul did (Philippians 4:11).
"that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God." Luke 16:15c
"By your endurance you will gain your lives." Luke 21:19
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon the earth . . . lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven . . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21
It takes true courage to live a life of faith. But it is the best kind of life to live. God will give you the kind of courage you need. He knows what you are made of.
"You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." James 4: 14b
But that little vapor is dearly loved! God has such plans for