Wrestling Honestly With God

My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.

Psalm 22:14

STEVE MANAGED A SMILE and a convincing “I’m fine” when his friend Bob asked how he was doing. But the truth was, he was far from fine. He was in a commission-only job, and it had been four months since he had gotten paid. In a matter of days, the bank was going to take his home. He was terrified and felt like a failure as a husband and a father. And if he were to be honest, he was also angry and felt as if God had abandoned him when he needed Him the most.

Like Steve, we can often feel like failures when life isn’t working out the way we planned. It is easy to envision “good” Christians as those whose faith is unwavering and who can smile no matter the circumstance. It is often hard to envision good Christians struggling with fear, doubt, anger, or sadness. But the psalmists were honest with their doubts and struggles and felt the freedom to come to God with their questions and heartache. Scripture is full of examples of men and women who struggled honestly with life’s brokenness.

Do you feel the freedom to wrestle honestly with God when your circumstances are less than desirable? What situations are you attempting to deal with on your own because you feel God might be disappointed with you? Take your fears and worries to your heavenly Father. He loves you, and He wants to help you.

BOTTOM LINE

People of real faith struggle honestly with the brokenness of life. We can get help from God and others only if we’re honest and ask for it.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 13:1-2