Allowing Adversity to Change Your PerspectiveSample

Closing Arguments

When challenging circumstances find their way into our lives, we often react as though we were filing a lawsuit. We feel the need to fight for a change of course; we petition for a trial. In desperation, we think, “If God could just hear my case . . . . If He would listen to my perspective . . . .”

It’s a tempting course; we can’t deny it. Our perspective on justice is inevitably biased. We are very likely to begin with the case already decided in our favor. We believe if we could just explain how difficult our situation is to God, He would surely change things.

But God doesn’t need more of our perspective. We’re the ones needing more of His. Even if our “evidence” makes a certain amount of sense, as it does with Job, the Lord understands what’s going on at a deeper level than we do. We must remember that He’s got the bigger picture. That is what God communicates to Job in the verbal perspective overhaul that closes the book.

A secret to living above our circumstances is understanding that God knows where we’re coming from. He understands how we’re feeling. He knows what we think and what we want even better than we do. Yet God also knows what we need to learn, how we need to mature, and what will benefit us in the long run.

To get into a mindset like Job’s, we must stop thinking of our circumstances as fodder for accusations. Instead, we should see them simply as the arena where we must show our faith and make choices.

Job’s circumstances were tough. Really tough. So are many of ours. We cannot say adversities are not tragic or wish them away. Demanding a verdict in our favor is not the answer. God already knows all the facts of our case. Our Creator is present with us to teach and guide us through every situation. It’s natural for us to seek comfortable circumstances, but the eternal Judge offers us a better deal: we can seek comfort in Him and always find it, no matter how distressed we are and no matter what our circumstances may be. He can always make everything work for our good.

Lord, help me to seek my comfort in You and not in changing circumstances.