Stuck Between a Rock & a Hard Place
Have you ever found yourself in a tough situation?
One of those “between a rock and a hard place” kind of circumstances that just seem impossible to wriggle out of.
Let’s face it, some problems that we find ourselves faced with are simply impossible for us to change, no matter how hard we try.
My blindness, along with all of the struggles that accompany it, is one of those situations for me.
As much as I wish I could, I cannot bring my sight back.
It is a circumstance that I cannot change and if I’m being honest, this makes me pretty angry at times.
Ria Story, a leadership speaker, trainer, and author, says, “We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it.”
Ria is a friend and mentor of mine. I have had the opportunity to hear her speak, and the first time I heard her say this particular statement, it really struck me.
Quote graphic that says, “We cannot control what happens to us, but we can control how we respond to it.” Ria Story
Our responses can be very powerful things, whether it is with our words, feelings, or our actions… good or bad.
When I become frustrated by my disability, I do not always respond in a pleasant way… just ask my husband.
Sometimes, I become distant, grouchy, and emotional.
Can you relate? Are there any circumstances in your life that are both out of your control and also seem to make you lose all control?
However, our responses have the power to be even more impactful when we respond through our faith in Christ.
A perfect example of this type of faith response can be found in the Old Testament in the book of Job.
Job was a man who had everything.
“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.”
(Job 1:1-3 ESV)
In the blink of an eye, however, all of this was taken away.
Job’s livestock was slaughtered and stolen, and on the same day many of his servants and all of his children were killed (Job 1:13-19).
There is no doubt that Job felt out of control as he heard the news of everything he had lost.
Unfortunately, he could not change his grim circumstances, but he made a choice in how he responded that we can all learn from.
An open Bible in front of a stone wall.
He responded by worshipping the Lord.
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
(Job 1:20-22 ESV)
Yes, Job did acknowledge his loss and grieve, which is so important in the healing process. But he also remained steadfast in his devotion to and faith in God through his mourning.
Instead of reacting in anger, he responded with trust in the One who holds it all.
The next time you face a trial that threatens to send you into a hair-pulling rage, I challenge you to think of Job.
What is your favorite way to worship?
Whether it is to sing, pray, or shout blessings to the heavens, just start worshiping!
I promise you will be reminded of all the ways that God has been there for you in the past, and you will have no doubt that once again He will see you through your present circumstances.
Remember when you face those situations that you cannot control, you do have the power to control how you respond, and best of all you have a God who controls it all.
