“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” (John Assaraf/Madeline Brewer)
In May of 2021, my wife and I flew from Ohio
to Minnesota to attend my daughter’s college graduation. Though I had an
enjoyable time, the trip took way far out of my comfort zone. I believe any
good parent will do what they can to emotionally support their child. When
flying on an airplane, you are either all in or all out. You can’t partially
fly on an airplane. For me life is that way. I find there are some things I
have to be committed to, or it’s not worth the effort. My belief in God is an
example of what I am referring to.
As a man in my upper 50’s, I have become
someone who seldom ventures outside my comfort zone. I don’t travel too far
from home, stick with food I’m accustomed to, connect with the variety of
people I know, dress appropriately and comfortably for my age and body type,
and when it comes to religious music I love my hymns or music that inspires me
to improve myself. Rarely do I listen to music that contains two languages: English
and another language (I don't speak).
Danny Gokey’s “Be Alright” is the exception
to my rule. The song contains Spanish and English. It is so entertaining that
my wife plays it a lot. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, the words that can be
understood are powerful in telling you that God will take care of your life
issues one way or other. Trusting in His wisdom, He will make everything
alright. Here are the lyrics:
There's a name
that can silence every fear
There's a love that embraces
The heartache, the pain and the tears
Through my faith and my doubting
I know one thing for sure
His word is unfailing
His promise secure
Chorus
Todo va a
estar bien
Everything will be alright
The whole world's in His hands
Your whole world's in His hands
In the darkness and the trials
He's faithful and He's true
The whole world's in His hands
Y todo va a estar bien
Everything will be alright
Father, You say
everything is gonna be alright
But my circumstances say I won't last through the night
I need Your word to hold me now, need You to pull me through
I need a miracle, a breakthrough, I need You
They say You
hold the whole universe in Your hand
But my world's falling apart like it is made of sand
Am I small enough to slip through the cracks?
Can You take my broken pieces and put them back?
Give me faith to
believe You are on my side
Open my eyes to see You working in my life
Let the past remind me You never fail
Tell my soul "It is well" (oh)
Chorus
Padre te
confieso a corazón abierto
Que todo es muy incierto en este desierto
Mi vulnerabilidad está al descubierto
Siento que mi barca está muy lejos de su puerto
¿Por qué será
que ya no sale el sol en mis días?
¿Por qué mis noches son tan frías?
¿Por qué será que siento que me falta algo?
¿Por qué este camino gris se siente tan largo?
Sé que estás
obrando aunque no te sienta
Sé que estás obrando aunque no te vea
Sé que voy a salir de esta odisea
Sé que voy a ganar esta pelea
Sé que va a
cesar esta marea temporaria
Que en ti yo viviré una vida extraordinaria
Que aunque no pueda entender
Me consuela saber que (todo)
Yo sé que
Chorus
He's got the
whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole wide world in His hands
Todo el mundo en su mano está
Todo el mundo en su mano está
Todo el mundo en su mano está
People who survive and thrive in the face of
challenges are those who trust in God to help them through hard times. Here are
six steps you can take to gain the ability to have faith in God when life is not
as you wish it were:
Adopt a viewpoint
of God knows best: God
promises to be with you in our time of need. You must believe He knows what is
best for you. He doesn’t promise to work in our timeframe. God answers prayers
in light of His mission here on Earth. You can trust God when you focus on the
fact that He always with you.
Ask God
for help by praying:
God never promised to shield you from difficulties. He only promises to be with
you (if you want that). Being angry and blaming God won’t help you to get
through that tough time. Asking Him to be with you can help you endure far more
than you’d ever be able to on your own. You may wonder how to pray.
Just speak by
trusting that God is listening to you. Pray for God’s comfort and strength
rather than praying that He’d simply remove your difficulties. You will grow in
faith and courage if you pray this way.
Be
grateful: Make
a list of the things you appreciate about your life even if it is as basic as a
roof overhead or food on your table. Tell God you are thankful for them. The
simple act of noticing the good things in your life helps you to have a more
positive attitude and helps you to see God’s hand in all things (good or bad).
Get
beyond yourself: Reach
out to others who can help, or encourage you. Any difficult situation seems
worse if you are facing it alone. Ask others to support you by praying for you,
and do the same for them. Offer to help those in need, which will put your challenges
in their proper perspective.
Let go
of thinking life should always go your way: God answers every prayer, but He does
not always answer “yes.” Sometimes, he says “no” or “wait.” Be happy when
things go well, enjoy each day and look for the good in it, but let go of
feeling entitled to a problem-free life.
You have free will to
choose to do good or bad, and so does everyone else in the world. So sometimes,
bad things happen. Sometimes, you do not get what you want—because what you
want would actually not be good for you. Remember that God knows more than you
do. Remind yourself that God has your best interests in mind and loves you.
Read or listen to the stories of
others: Their
experiences will help you. Author William Sirls writes, “God doesn’t keep you from tests and
trials. … He helps you get through them.” Books about people who experienced God's
help as they faced difficulties can give you hope.
"The greater
your knowledge of the goodness and grace of God on your life; the more likely
you are to praise Him in the storm." (Matt Chandler)[i]
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