Daily Devotional

I don’t know about you, but bumper cars as a kid were my favorite. Even though they hurt sometimes, they were still so much fun. I think part of the reason was they took something that is usually painful, a car crash, and turned it into something exciting. Obviously, this is fine for a ride, but in life ... not so much. Sometimes, we get hurt and not in a fun way like bumper cars. What do we do when the bumper car ride of our life loses the bumpers and crashes? It’s times like these that we’re ready for the ride to stop and let us get out. Unfortunately, life isn’t as simple as an amusement park ride. So where do we turn when the pain of life seems relentless?

Job’s story is one that should be periodically revisited from time to time. Job had a lot going for him. He was faithful to God, but suddenly lost everything; his wealth, business, kids, health, EVERYTHING. Looking at this story it’s hard not to question what Job did to deserve all that. I believe one of the takeaways from this story is that: asking questions is part of the process as we go through difficult situations. It shows us that it’s ok to wonder and be curious. Job acknowledges his hurt while remaining faithful to God. But here is another major takeaway: no matter how many accusations and frustrations we throw God’s way, God never leaves us. He is with us amid our affliction and frustration. He is with us in our agony and fear. And the best news of all is that, if He is still with us, eventually things will be restored.

At times we experience hurt that we don’t even have words for. Yet when we don’t have the words, the Spirit intercedes on our behalf because He is with us and knows exactly what we’re going through and need. I’m reminded today that hurt and hope can exist side by side. Hurt and pain are real and can be scary, but as we experience it, we can be unafraid as we learn to trust that God can turn hurt into hope. 

"English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers."