Back in December, I was at work one night (I work in a well-known clothing store), when a lady came out of the dressing rooms and complained that she was receiving the worst service of her life. She was the only customer in the store and we had forgotten to check if she needed help or how her clothes were fitting. I immediately apologized and gave her my undivided attention for the next thirty minutes, and she left with a smile on her face and a retraction of her previous statement.
Yet, when I went home that night, I was extremely bothered. Thinking that she would change her mind and make out a complaint to corporate, I stayed up until two o’clock worrying and feeling anxious about it (I really hate disappointing people). I finally turned it over to The Lord, asking that He would ease my mind and let there not be any grievance when I got to work the next day; I was immediately washed with a sense of relief and able to fall asleep.
The next morning, I checked my email first thing and sighed out of ease – no complaint. I thought, Okay cool God, thanks so much and went about the rest of my morning. At one o’clock my boss came in and, after reading through her email, she quickly pulled me to the back. At that moment I was sure I had received a complaint and was positive I was about to be in trouble; my hands were shaking. She printed off a document and handed it to me – It was a compliment from a lady who had come in two weeks prior. I was shocked!
Yeah, getting a compliment is great on any day, but to get one when I was begging The Lord to give me dormancy! Man, I can’t get over how GOOD He is – He not only took care of my worry but exceeded my expectations in order to assure me that He was there, that He longs to comfort me, and that He will more than provide when I give my problems over to Him.
When I think back on that story, I see that it is a true testament of my Father’s extreme love and faithfulness. It is an awesome example that shows how every situation, no matter how small, has already been drafted by His hands and I have no reason to worry! It is a reminder of how amazingly sweet our God is!
These past few months, The Lord has repeatedly made it clear, through many examples, that He is in control and has a purpose for everything; there are NO coincidences.
Scripture tells us this truth all throughout the Bible:
- “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
- “He does as He pleases with the power of heaven and the people of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?” – Daniel 4:3-4
- “You can make many plans, but The Lord’s purpose will prevail.” -Proverbs 19:21
- “The earth is The Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1
- “The heart of man plans his way, but The Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
- “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.” – Psalm 115:3
- “I create the light and make the darkness. I send good time and bad times. I, The Lord, am the one who does these things.” – Isaiah 45:7
- “My Father is always working, and so am I.” – John 5:17
The Word goes on and on to say that The Lord is in control of this world. We may never fully understand why He does something, but to say, “Well that was just a coincidence,” is like saying God let it slip through His fingers – It cannot be done.
This promise now brings me such comfort. I know that The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is taking care of my life. I know that He has a strategy behind everything He does and that He loves His children greatly. This promise makes it so much easier to accept when things are confusing and uncomfortable, because I know that nothing just happens. He has a specific purpose for whatever occurs in my life; to teach me about His character, to show me how His love will sustain me, to bring me closer to Himself, et cetera.
He is good. He is faithful. His love endures forever.
That’s all I need to know. I will rest in Him.
