FOUR FOUNDATIONAL STONES – “BRUISES TURNED INTO BLESSINGS”
September 24, 2026A lot things happen in a day. A whole lot of things happen in a lifetime. What makes the difference in determining our direction and its progress is how we take all what happens in our life. There is no issue about all the good things that happen in our lives. We all love them. The issue is only about the things that go wrong. None of us like anything to go bad in our lives. How one takes the bad things that happen to us, and how we tackle them will impact almost everything else in our lives.
What about Christians? Do we have problems too, just like anyone else in this world? Yes, Christians also will have problems. We are not exempted from them. There is no special treatment for us because we belong to the LORD Jesus Christ. In fact, as Christians we will encounter a lot more problems than the rest of the world. How then should we perceive them? How then should we pursue them? What should we do, when we are hit with issues of life?
The LORD our God, had provided insights and instructions in the Bible, which is the written Word of God. The wisdom which is in the Bible is meant to help us and guide us. Let us look at three passages from the Bible – Approach of Job towards the problems that fell upon him, the godly attitude of Habakkuk towards problems, and the words of our LORD through Isaiah, His prophet.
1- APPROACH OF JOB TOWARDS THE PROBLEMS THAT FELL UPON HIM
– “20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” – Job 1:20-22
– “9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” – Job 2:9-10
2- THE GODLY ATTITUDE OF PROPHET HABAKKUK TOWARDS PROBLEMS
– “17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labour of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills…” – Habakkuk 3:17-19
3- THE WORDS OF OUR LORD THROUGH PROPHET ISAIAH
– “1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour…” – Isaiah 43:1-3a
Dear brothers and sisters, this is what we can conclude from what is revealed to us through the above scripture portions.
– The LORD our God is Sovereign and He is in control of everything.
– We may or may not understand all what is happening in our lives at that moment.
– We should learn to completely trust God in His immutable goodness, grace, mercy and love.
– LEARN TO ACCEPT ALL THINGS AS THEY ARE, and as they come, basing our conclusion upon the above biblical positions.
– Learn to step out in faith, and God will lead us just as He said He would.
– Leave the rest to God. He will take care of everything that concerns us.
Even so, the LORD Jesus help us.
