The Stress Detox DevotionalSample

THE STRESS OF AN UNFAIR LIFE

Have you ever had a week like this? Can you remember a time when it seemed life blindsided you? You stood there with arms spread apart thinking, What just happened? There’s no doubt we’ve all faced moments of shock, trying to make sense of it all. Maybe a friend betrayed your shameful secret or your child turned their back on you. Maybe someone else got the promotion you were promised. Maybe you didn’t get an invitation to the big event or were stuck with the bill. Maybe you were falsely accused. Maybe your husband or boyfriend changed his mind and left the relationship without explanation. Maybe your identity was stolen or a credit card account was hacked. The reality is that life has a way of not playing fair, and it leaves us scared, angry, worried, and stressed out. The book of Job gives us an example of this frustrating truth. At Satan’s request and God’s approval, Job had everything that mattered most stripped away—his animals, his servants, his children, and his own health. In today’s verses, Job is crying out to the Lord. He is walking out his emotions, trying to make sense of the situation because he knew he had lived a righteous life. To him, it made no logical sense why these tragedies happened. What about you, friend? Are you struggling with what’s happening in your life right now? Does it all seem unfair? Have you tried to live righteously and are frustrated that hardship continues to come your way? Just like Job, this is a moment of truth in your walk of faith. This is where you choose to believe God is good and in control, or this is where you choose to live stressed out and angry. This is where you trust that God is allowing this hardship for a good reason, or you decide God has turned His back on you. This is where your faith muscle builds or weakens. If you read to the end of the book of Job, you’ll see the Lord’s graciousness in restoring what Job had lost. This was His plan all along. And that’s a gold nugget for you to take away. Knowing that life is unfair, trust that God sees your stress. Have faith that He knows what worries you. Talk to Him about it. Open up and share your heart. And then choose to believe God has a plan to restore and heal every bit of it.

Ask Yourself This. . .

Where has life blindsided me lately?

Am I angry at the Lord for allowing difficulties in my life?