How God Treats Us

All things work together for good.

Romans 8:28

Anger is a universal emotion. Even babies lose their temper if they don’t get their way. Few of us make it through a week without fuming or fussing about something. Occasionally our anger is justified, but often we harbor an unhealthy, unforgiving spirit.

Sometimes we’re just angry at life. Grace Saxe, for example, a dedicated Bible teacher of an earlier generation, had hoped to become a missionary. After her acceptance by a mission’s board, she packed her bags, bade her friends farewell, and prepared to sail off; but the night before her departure, her father was seized by a life-threatening illness. She was unable to leave, and the ship sailed without her. In a day or two, her father recovered.

“Why would God treat me like this?” Grace wondered. For several days, she was angry and depressed. At the end of the week, a report came that the ship was lost at sea and everyone aboard had perished. Grace’s resentment melted into understanding, then into thankfulness.

Are you resentful at life’s circumstances? Is your Christmas being marred by a bitter spirit? Give it to the Lord and let Him have His way. Trust Him, for He knows just what He is doing.