I don’t like him!

Have you ever met someone, maybe through a friend, and thought I really don’t like that person? Maybe you think they are prideful, arrogant, un-caring, obnoxious, and/or have other less than attractive qualities. You may tell your mutual friend how you feel, only to have them tell you, you are wrong. Have you ever heard the statement “If you get to know them you will love them?” Maybe in some cases you have gotten to know them and seen how wrong you were.

What is your impression of God? Does He appear to be arrogant, prideful, un-caring, a tyrant? When you think of God, do negative images come to mind? Maybe you have prayed for things and it would appear that those prayers have been unanswered; perhaps a job, a car, the healing of a loved one, or a request made for a mate?

If you have negative thoughts when you think of God, let me say “you’re wrong; if you get to know Him, you will love Him.” I can attest to that. For those who don’t know me personally, or haven’t seen the bad things that have happened in my life, or are happening right now, you might say, well, God has blessed you but not me. Again, you’d be wrong.

I am suffering many things right now, so are you, I’m sure. Whether it be your job, or lack of one, the economy/finances, a divorce, family hostilities, the death of a loved one, or whatever, maybe the only difference between us is the way we see it; perspective.

If God doesn’t give you what you ask for, maybe He is holding back to give you something better. Maybe He is grooming you, or the other person, for a marriage beyond your wildest dreams. Maybe the separation between you and your child, or parent, is what is needed to restore that relationship to be better than it was before. Maybe, separation will lead to eternal salvation for that person. We don’t know the answers, just some questions. God knows our questions, but more importantly, He knows the answers.

He knows what is needed, and the great part is, He has the power and authority to make it happen.

Back to the earlier statement, “If you get to know them you will love them.”

Friend, if you see God as a tyrant who seeks to bless anyone and everyone but you, let me say again, “If you get to know Him, you will love Him?”

Whatever I suffer in this present age, I know my God well enough to say He is doing what is best; no question. I don’t have to like it, I may not want it; but the bottom line is, I trust Him more than I trust myself.  

²² And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³ except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. ²⁴ But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. –Acts 20:22-24

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Profiting from Trials

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The Perspective of Rich and Poor

⁹ Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, ¹⁰ but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. ¹¹ For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

Loving God Under Trials

¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. ¹⁸ Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Qualities Needed in Trials

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. –James 1:2-20

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⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. –John 10:9-11

Abundant life does not mean we get everything we want. It is getting God’s very best for us according to His will; not just for this present age, but for eternity. At the same time we will have great joy in our relationship with Him today. We can rest in His loving arms no matter what.

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