Prayerfully Re-Center around God
Jeremiah 12:1,5
A distraught prophet Jeremiah asks God:
You are always righteous, LORD, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
And the God of Israel responds to him:
If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?
Pondering Point
This answer is not necessarily what one might expect from God in handling His distraught prophet. Yet here it is: in the midst of struggle for Jeremiah, God warns him: "If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses?" In other words, its going to get tougher than this. While this is not God’s answer to everyone, it is reason to pause and ask if you’re ready for whatever life is going to throw at you. Are you ready to face it with God?
Review
Do you expect God to remove you from difficult circumstances? Do you resent God for leaving you in difficult situations? Do you compare yourself with others?
Repent if Necessary
Is there a need to repent of complaining, of envy, or of resentment? Is there a need to repent of seeking comfort or ease rather than commitment and strength to endure?
Prayer Prompt: Return (as necessary)
As Jeremiah did, bring yourself to God. And as Jeremiah did, lay out your heart.
Then as Jeremiah did, listen to God’s response and accept it. There is more going on than meets the eye. Jeremiah proved faithful. Let us do so as well.