No Explanation, Just An Invitation

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 

You may be facing the trial of your life right now. Your family could be enduring something indescribable. Your health may be failing, your finances may be in crisis, or perhaps you have a son or daughter trapped in addiction. You might not understand why this is happening to you.

A similar scenario happened in John 21. Jesus tells Peter that one day, someone will lead him to a place he does not want to go, signifying the kind of death Peter would face for following Him. In response, Peter turns and looks at John, asking Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus replies, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

We become discontent and distrustful when we begin to compare our lives to those of others.

Your neighbor's path may seem easier while yours feels steep and painful. But God has a plan for your life and a different plan for theirs. If you’ve surrendered your life to Christ, your journey, no matter how difficult, will glorify God. That’s why you must choose to keep following Jesus. Take your eyes off the blessings of others, or you may miss God’s will for your own life. Jesus was essentially telling Peter: "It’s not your concern how someone else’s story unfolds. Just follow me."

The Apostle Paul warns against the trap of comparison: “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12). You may wonder, “Why did they get a father when I didn’t?” “Why did I get this illness and they didn’t?” “Why did tragedy strike my family?” God does not cause sickness or death. In fact, He sent His Son so that one day, everyone who belongs to Him will be whole, healed, and live forever. But until that day, we will face the trials of living in a fallen world. Even the most faithful men and women in the Bible endured hardships beyond what we can imagine. There is a powerful verse that gives us hope in the dark times. It was uttered by a man who lost everything in this life. He lost his children, the respect of his friends, his health, and his wealth. But while he sat in the ashes of his suffering, Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Job 13:15 

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