My wife and I often disagree on the value of certain things. I'm one of those pack-rats of sentimental objects. In particular I have a tattered and torn antique wooden boat I cart around with us every time we move. She is always after me to put it in a box or throw it away. I want it to be displayed because it reminds me of a moment in my life that was significant.

We go through life judging value in objects, situations, people, or ourselves, often getting it wrong. We tend to judge a turtle by it's shell. No wait.. maybe it should be; judging a book by its cover? That might make more sense! If we could keep it on a human level it might not be so bad, but then again we frequently judge God's involvement in our lives don't we? "God, this isn't the way things should be" or "God where did you go, do you know what you're doing?" or "God, why won't you fix these problems or take them away?" We quickly size up the situation and demand that God take action. But what if God is already in action? What if he has a reason for the way things are?

For us life is the here and now, we don't know the future. I think we default to our limited perspective and feeble understanding of life. We want life to be about our happiness or comfort and get all out of whack when it isn't. Perhaps God knows something about the value of suffering, pain and discomfort? After all, he did endure extremely painful torture, and die a brutal death on a cross. He didn't do it for no reason, He did it for us. He endured pain because of his hope for the future. He knew that freedom and redemption for mankind was just around the corner, He knew the future. We must trust Him with our future, because even if it doesn't look worth it to you maybe what's going on in your life right now is significant to God.

Bill Hybels says, "the present state of affairs does not determine the possibilities life holds." God has a vast and beautiful plan that we can't always understand because it's still going on. Part of it has happened, some is happening now, and there is much more ahead. Can you trust God that he will complete what He started? (Phillipians 1:6)

The best way not be dragged down by our circumstances and suffering is to think big. "Your goal in life has to be bigger then yourself!" (Eleanor Josaitis) Try that for a remedy to the problems you have with the way life is "treating you" lately, think about others for a change.

Trust that God knows what he is doing and live for Him no matter what your circumstances are today. For with God there is always hope! (Romans 8:37-39)

-Josh