Have you had something to come into your life that you didn't see coming? Something completely unexpected and certainly unwanted? Something that seemingly fell right out of the blue clear sky and right into your lap? I think we've all been in that situation at one time or another but the question is ~ what do you do about it? How do you handle it?
Most likely our first response is how do I get rid of this as quickly as possible. Why? Because it makes us feel uncomfortable, fearful, angry, emotionally hurt or even physically hurt. Whatever the case, we just want it gone and done with. Right?
Recently something like this came into my life. I didn't ask for it, didn't want it and didn't see it coming. But one day it just showed up on my doorstep and in my heart. Something had happened and now it was just laying there in my lap, so to speak.
At first I didn't know what to do, how to handle it. I knew I wanted it gone that was for certain, but didn't know how to go about getting it gone. Like Paul I went to the Lord asking him to remove this "thorn in my side". Do you know what His answer was ~ silence. Humm.... That should have been a clue to me.
Then one day I was talking with God about my situation and reading His word when He brought me to this verse: Proverbs 16:33
"The Lot is cast into the lap. But it's every decision is from the LORD."
The Lord quietly told me ~ I know all about the situation and I've got everything under control. Just trust me. From that I took comfort and left my situation in His capable hands. Of course that is what He wanted me to do to begin with. From that point I stopped asking Him to change the situation and started asking Him to use the situation to change me. I trusted Him with it and have seen His faithfulness week by week arranging the situation for my good. I'm pretty sure that was His plan all along.
So let me ask you. Do you have something in your life now that is unwanted and unasked for? If so, take it to the Lord. Trust Him with it. Then, ask Him to show you how He wants to use the situation to change you.
His ultimate goal for everything that comes into our lives is to make and mold us more into His image and less like our own. Remember ~ He is in control and will prove Himself faithful.