Who Pushed That Button?

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I want life to come easily.

One night I even wrote a song about it entitled, “Won’t it Come Easily” as I meowed myself to sleep like a cat licking my wounds, wishing life and love and job came with the giant Staples Easy Button.

News flash: No Easy Buttons can be found in the reality aisle of life.

A few examples of the Hard Button:

  •    Working with colleagues who don’t think, work, agree, or act like you do
  •    Overcoming sickness and family complications
  •    Enduring insults, difficulties, and hardships
  •    Pushing through lonely and uncertain seasons of singleness

Have you ever wondered what a Staples Hard Button might look like? I can imagine it covered in thorns. I can imagine Satan had access to it when he approached God’s throne asking for permission to harass Job. At the end of the dialogue, Satan pushed the Hard Button, and God allowed it!

Pause Button. What’s that about?

After Job’s first round of turmoil, God proclaimed that Job, a man with integrity, would not deny His (God’s) name. Indeed, Job did not:  “In all this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:22 NLT)

Later in Matthew, when Jesus contradicts accusations of him teaming with Beelzebub, He does so by first pointing out how illogical it is that the Father of light would team up with evil. After mentioning the unpardonable sin, He continues by saying that “anyone who speaks against the Son of man can be forgiven.” (Matt. 12:32) NLT

Job was considered a man of integrity because he did not speak against God even with the presence of life turbulence. He did not call God evil; and what God calls Himself in Mark 10:18, “no one is good except God alone” means that God is not the operator of the Hard Button. God did not introduce evil and sin into the world–Satan did. God is the giver of Life. Believing this is essential to recognize He is good and the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)

When we shake our fists at God in seasons of drought and deep desire, we are calling Him the author of evil in pantomime. When we fall silent and stop praying, in our hearts perhaps we are proclaiming, “God you are doing this to me!”  If we doubt His love for us when He calls Himself love, if we say He commits evil when He says that He is the Author of only good, we show a wavering faith.

But God forgives and restores us when we falter and blame Him for being the sole proprietor of the pain in our lives and the world.

In the midst of life’s difficulties, we must remember to call God as He calls Himself: good.

Even when the Hard Button is pushed down, God is not only good, He is good TO US. He loves each of us individually, personally and intimately.  Believing this fundamental truth will carry us through life’s difficulties.

Do Not Worry

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“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

As a single adult there is a lot to worry about. There is sometimes pressure from friends and family to “find someone and settle down,” finances with only one income, and balancing a social life that is honoring to God and does not break the bank. When Jesus is talking here, He wants all of us to know that God sees our worries. Yes, you as a single adult sometimes worry about what you will eat, what career path you will choose, who you will socialize with, and what clothes you will wear. Jesus is talking to all of us in Matthew 6:25 with His Sermon on the Mount to put our trust in God because He is the one who has provided for us and will continue to do so, just like the flowers in the fields.

God already knows your worry and He even tells us in verse 6:27 that none of us can add to our life by worrying. So, what should we be doing instead of worrying? Verse 6:32: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Your relationship with God is priority #1 above any worries or anxieties you might have. Focus on honoring God, and you will not have to worry about any of your day to day trials. Click here to see what a relationship with God looks like and encourage those around you who worry to keep their eyes on God and let Him take care of the details.