"When It Doesn’t Make Sense, Does That Make It Senseless?"
2 Corinthians 4:8,9
How do we as Christians in this world make any sense out of what makes no sense? How do we cope with things in our lives that just don’t make sense?
There are 4 steps that we must take in this situation.
1. Recognize Our Frustration.
2. Realize Our Limitations.
3. Realign Our Revelation.
4. Remember Our Destination.
I. RECOGNIZE OUR FRUSTRATIONS.
Many things God does or allows to happen, we do not presently understand.
A. I Corinthians 1:25 - Because the foolishness of God is wiser thatn men; and the weakness of God is stronger that men.
B. Philippians 4:6,7 - Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The NIV reads like this....
Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God, which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and mainds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
II. REALIZE OUR LIMITATIONS
Just because it doesn’t make sense to you, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make sense at all.
A. Peter.
Luke 5:5 - And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
B. Story of Lazarus
John 11.
Realize that when you face frustrations, you may not understand because you are human, and have limitations. The fact doesn’t make you good or bad, it only helps us diffuse some the anxiety that frustrations can create.
III. REALIGN OUR REVELATION.
Get things in focus with scripture. What doesn’t make sense when lined up with what man thinks, always makes sense spiritually when lined up with the Word.
A. I Peter 1:24,25 - For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of mans as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and flower thereof falleth away.
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
B. David...
Psalm 73:17 - Until I wnet into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.
C. Job...
Job 42:5,6 - I heard with my ear but now my eye see thee I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.
D. Joseph to his brothers...
Genesis 45:1-6
E. II Timothy 1:12 - For the which cause I also suffer these things nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul didn’t say I know why I believe, He said, I know whom I have believed.
Illustration: An overly enthusiastic man was aked about his joyous lifestyle and positive attitude about the future. His reply was, "I found the answer in the Bible." It says over and over in God’s word, "It came to pass.... not to stay.
IV. REMEMBER OUR DESTINATION
Not an escape for reality, but an anticipation of reality.
A. Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Jesus said...
B. John 11:26 - And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
We must live everyday...
C. Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Remember GOD IS IN CONTROL of everything, whether it makes sense to us or not.
