It's not ironic, a coincidence, bad timing, Murphy's law, or just happenstance that we are, where we are, when the enemy shows up, the earth opens up, the storm blows in, or the disease flares up. Instead, we are where we need to be when we find ourselves at a place we don't want to be.
This became so clear to me in Bro. Robert J. Morgan's book The Red Sea Rules. In his first of ten Red Sea rules, we learn as did the Israelites that when we find ourselves trapped with the Rea Sea in front of us, mountain ranges on both sides of us, and Pharaoh and his army behind us, we are where we are meant to be. God doesn't make mistakes. The all-knowing God of the Universe is in control.
Even when our own actions brings us to the edge of the cliff or plants us in a pool of quicksand, God's permissive will allows it for a good purpose. Our best interest is His great concern. God knows how to get our attention. Just as the Israelites looked to God when facing the Red Sea, God wants us to look to Him when facing our Red Sea, lions' den, or fiery furnace.
God is most concerned about our relationship with Him, not our ease and comfort down here. So when you find yourselves being swallowed up by tragedy, heartache, or insurmountable problems, do as Bro. Morgan recommends, "take a deep breath and recall this deeper secret of the Christian life: when you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there, for reasons perhaps known for now only to Himself.
Suffering is a much better teacher than worldly success in preparing us for kingdom living. I was on a power career track when anxiety and depression hit and laid me low for nearly twenty years. But through it I became more humble, spending weekends and evenings playing with my young daughter instead of flying around the country to show off at meetings. I learned to serve in church and at work as a follower instead of leader. I learned to trust God and in His own time he healed me so I am now free of anxiety and depression and using my freedom to serve children, students and the homeless.
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