A recent decision by a colleague left several people quite frustrated, upset and somewhat angry. The decision had negative impacts to peoples’ time and priorities. Schedules had to be rearranged, thus impacting personal and professional plans.
What made matters worse was that there would be no discussing nor changing the decision. It seemed selfish and arrogant. How could he not see the other side of the situation? Doesn’t he care about others? Why is he so stubborn?
I went to bed that night with this on my mind and had a rough sleep trying to process things. Waking up the next day I felt tired, defeated and just as upset as the day before.
Then I prayed.
Why God are you letting this happen? Change the other guy’s heart. Help him see the truth. Fix this please. This cannot be in your will. He’s wrong.
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:34)
And then it hit me. The more I prayed, the more I felt my own heart soften, I began to accept the situation for what it was. This was different than “getting over it”, it was unexplainable peace. Then thoughts of praying for the other person, for God to work in that man’s life. The more I became focused on praying for mercy, grace and healing in the life of the other person, the more I felt the much-needed grace covering me.
It felt like I was starting to remove my will which made room for God’s will.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33)
Takeaways:
- Those who do not know Jesus had no hope in this situation. An opportunity to pray for and share with those who do not yet have this hope.
- Another reminder to take everything immediately to prayer. I was selfish in allowing this to fester in the night and ultimately, I suffered by waiting too long. Lost sleep, bitterness, sadness that likely could have been prevented.
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)
Today’s reading: Romans 11
Looking ahead for my readings two weeks from today I read the following which greatly applies to today’s theme. He comforts us in our troubles SO THAT we can comfort others, what a mighty God we serve!
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)