When You're Having Trouble Coping

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

20 May 2009 08:48 PM

Sometimes it seems God gives us more than we can cope with. He promises not to test us beyond what we can bear, 1 Corinthians 10:13. But at times it seems we have a different opinion to God about what we can endure. This blog is prompted by what is happening with two dear people I love, who at present seem to have more than they can cope with.

But we know several things:

God is faithful

God always provides a way out to endure.

God know better than we do what is going on and why

God always keeps His promises.

In biblical times Mary and Martha must have felt that they had more than they could cope with. Their brother Lazarus was seriously ill and Jesus wasn't there to help them. They knew Jesus loved them and their brother, so they sent for Jesus to help when Lazarus took sick, John 11:3.

It wasn't that Jesus didn't love Mary and Martha and Lazarus, He did John 11:5. And yet, he turned a seemingly blind eye to their request to come. Instead He stayed a further two days where he was before setting out to help them, verse 6. Jesus knew what Mary and Martha didn't know. Jesus knew God had a higher purpose in events that neither Mary or Martha dreamed of.

The disciples on the other hand, didn't understand either. They thought Jesus was nuts for even considering going back to where people were out to kill Him. But Jesus knew what his mission was and how God's purposes might best be achieved.

God knows His plan and mission for us too and how it might best be achieved. Sometimes, that is through the path of suffering.

Jesus clearly told His disciples Lazarus was dead but that even this situation was an opportunity for belief, verse 15. That's the hard part for us at times, to keep believing even when the situation looks at its darkest.

Join me next time for some further thoughts about this incident and how it applies to our lives.

Related blogs

Who Is Jesus?

Trusting God Despite Hardship

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

Does it Matter What You Believe?

Do We Really Want to Know?

Learn more about Dale Harcombe

Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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