“I missed the future. Obviously I knew even before his recurrence that I’d never grow old with Augustus Waters. But thinking about Lidewjj and her boyfriend, I felt robbed. I would probably never again see the ocean from thirty thousand feet above, so far up that you can’t make out the waves or any boats. so that the ocean is a great and endless monolith. I could imagine it. I could remember it. But I couldn’t see it again,…”
Hazel Grace Lancaster, The Fault in our Stars
Does death rob us of our future?
The answer is no. God in his gracious and loving providence has planned your days down to the millisecond. Your life is filled with exactly what he intended. No more, no less. No life is cut short. There is nothing that any of us will miss in life beyond the days that were given to us. Hazel was robbed of nothing except being able to experience God’s deep comfort and joy in the face of death and terminal cancer. God robbed her of nothing. Her life was not enriched by egging a car or by angry speech or by having sex on her terms. It was diminished by those things.
Your every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16-17
Does God have something better for you than what you can imagine?
Absolutely, yes! God is not limited by what you can imagine or desire, even if there is terminal illness. Living by faith means that no matter how awful or wonderful your life is, you have reasons for joy and hope. God’s future is more wonderful than anyone could want. You can take joy in knowing God is able to do immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine. Ephesians 3:20
Is pain real and unrelenting? Are the afflictions of life so stark and searing that the next moment can seem to be forever in coming? Can all the good things you have planned suddenly be crushed like a beautiful crystal vase that slips from you hand and shatters into a million life-piercing shards?
Yes.
But even when life falls apart with the force of an earthquake, God is your refuge and your strength. Even then, especially then God says be still and know that I am God. God has better things for you.
6 thoughts on “God has better answers”
thanks. i needed it just now
God knows what we need, when we need it! Thank you, Lord!
People always say to me in my ongoing trial of 14 years, that i never know what might be around the corner (some relief, or change in circumstances for the better) I’m hanging on regardless but I wonder especially lately, how long more Lord, please see and intervene. Each week I’m dealing with an abusive ex spouse who is not a Christian. He constantly undermines me in front of our son and my son has his bad example and bad influence to look at each week which grieves me. He drives a wedge between my son and I and that really kills me, the good I try to do and teach my son he tries to un-do and goes against decisions and boundaries that I try to put in place to protect my son. I’m still single since the age of 25, I’m parenting alone and against the tide constantly, I’m weary and scared and feel beaten down constantly by this abusive man but feel powerless to change anything unless God intervenes. He is unrepentent of all the adultery he committed, never apologized or sought forgiveness. That betrayal still stings me. If God wasn’t all powerful and sovereign I would have lost all hope by now but I still ask “how long Lord, please deliver me from my enemies, how long more?” I’m allowed ask that. My son is 12, please pray God will save him regardless of all the animosity and strife and that God will strengthen me in Christ for however long it takes. Please, I would appreciate it, thank you so much.
Carol, I feel led to reply because it made me think of my past, which is all it is now past. God is there right now to lead you through and empower you for you are more than a conquerer with Christ by your side. Be built up with confidence because you are a child of the King! It seems from your post you are at the place where you are beat down and I want to encourage you because I know what happens when self esteem and confidence are at an all time low due to someone abusive. Don’t be that victim anymore. Empower yourself with God as your shield fighting in front of you. Stay close to Him everyday in the word, that’s where you will draw your strength.
Counseling (paying for it can be on a sliding scale if money is tight) it helped heal and empower me and once you gain that confidence, you will NEVER go back to the person you once were!! I can guarantee you that:) it’s the most amazing feeling in the world. Then it won’t matter what others say to your son because he will see the change in your life and just keep giving God ALL the Glory, you will be a living example to your son:) carol, i hope this is encouraging to you because my heart truly feels for where you are at. God is wanting to do great things in your life! What are you willing to do to seek it out? Write it down, no excuses, what are your next steps, you can do this! Praise God!
(Love is a choice was a great start for me to go through this with a counselor or even a Godly woman you respect at church)
Vanessa
Eph_2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Carol- I have three boys that I’m raising on my own, so I understand where you’re coming from. Here’s a good scripture that always gives me hope 🙂 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household.” Acts 16:31