It had been a bad day. Nothing really big, just a whole lot of little things. I had complained to God and one of my close friends, but I was pretty determined to be in a bad mood. I only had one more errand before I could go home and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the evening. Since I only needed a handful of things from Wal Mart – milk, toilet paper, and fabric dye – I expected to be in and out in just a few minutes.
Storming around the store with my “poor me” attitude I found the fabric dye on the aisle with the laundry detergent. Dark brown was only available in the liquid version. I needed a lot so I started pulling bottles off the little shelf over my head. Each time I grabbed one the others were pushed forward by a spring-loaded mechanism on the shelf.
As I lifted the next to last bottle the one behind it shot out and up. There was no time to take cover, it all happened too fast. When the bottle hit the tile floor the cap popped off and dark liquid squirted across the aisle splattering everything in its path, including me. As I surveyed the damage, God spoke to me quietly. “Okay, you’ve been whining all day. How are you going to respond to this?”
While I sponged myself off with the paper towels hung on a nearby post, I considered my options. I could continue down the path I’d been on all day and let this dark mess be the last straw that pushed me over the edge to a full blown, self-absorbed tantrum. Or, I could remember that God is in control. He not only is aware of all the problems, issues, and worries in my life, He cares about each one.
In that moment of decision, God brought a Scripture passage to mind. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).” Rest in Jesus or throw a fit on the detergent aisle in Wal Mart? This time I chose Jesus. And I pray I will next time too.
Life is full of trials, both big and small. Most days, the troubles are nothing more than a messy nuisance. Sometimes, though, they aren’t so easy to clean up. As women, we are the rescuers, the nurturers, the ones that keep everything together and running smoothly for our families and friends. But can we stand strong – for ourselves and the ones who depend on us – when the really hard times come?
A rock-solid faith in the one true God provides a firm foundation that is not easily moved. Do you feel like your faith is unshakeable or shaky? What evidence do you see in your life?
If you desire to have an unshakeable faith for life, take a look at my newest Bible study “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living.” This 8-week study of the life of the Apostle Peter reveals how God can grow a fragile faith into a strong, unshakeable faith. click here for more info; purchase now from Amazon
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