Uncontrollable Circumstances

“If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord!  Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?” ~Numbers 20:2–4 (NIV)

In Numbers 20 the Israelites encountered what some would call an “uncontrollable circumstance”.  They were finally out of Egypt and on their way to the Promised Land when they found themselves in a situation where they didn’t have any water.  Instead of asking God for a drink, they started complaining.  Sometimes we find ourselves complaining before we even know the extent of our hardship.  Or worse yet, we start looking for someone to blame for our circumstances, forgetting that God is sovereign and often allows these trials and challenges so we can evaluate our own hearts. Do you tend to find yourself looking for someone to blame instead of asking the one who can provide all things?  What little faith we might think, but bad attitudes creep into weak hearts and pop up when we least expect them to.  One of the biggest obstacles we all have in overcoming adversities in life is our own attitudes.  Our attitude toward others and toward God is a direct reflection of how far we are willing to trust the Lord and let Him have His way in our lives.  Ask yourself this question, when life seems to slap you in the face, what is the first thing you do?  Do you run to the phone, or do you run to the throne?  Our faith can easily be measured by our initial reactions.  One of the fruits of being led by the Spirit of God is peace.  When we get out of peace, we should know we are not being led by God at that point.

Uncontrollable circumstances squeeze what’s truly on the inside of us out like nothing else can.  As believers, we are not in a position to respond negatively to situations that don't work out the way we want them to.  That kind of behavior affects our witness, and we are told throughout scripture that we are to pay diligent attention to our attitude around those who struggle in their faith.  Lashing out or getting mad will never harness the outcome we are looking for.  Have you ever stopped to think that the situation you have found yourself in might be a key component in God’s divine plan for your life?   Maybe God wants to use it to build some patience in you or maybe He wants to show His patience through you to someone else.  Either way, wouldn’t it stand to reason that He might allow a little pressure or suffering?  We aren’t going to develop and demonstrate patience by not having it tested.  God might even allow someone to "step on your toes" a little just to see what kind of reaction you will have.  Are you going to flip out on those who bother you and talk bad about them or are you going to trust that God has everything under control and that He will be responsible for your vindication?  He tells us in Matthew 5:44 “But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you." (CEV) Have you been mistreated lately?  Now you know what God wants you to do in that situation…pray!  We can never expect good results from a bad attitude.  Be thankful for where you are on the way to where God is taking you no matter what “uncontrollable circumstance” you encounter enroute. 

And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.  These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. ~1 Corinthians 10:10-11 (NIV)

Have you been mistreated lately? Have you prayed?

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