Do you struggle to accept the frustrating events that you face on a daily basis? Do you find yourself becoming discouraged when life doesn’t go the way that you anticipated? Is there anything you can do to prevent becoming a victim of life’s difficult circumstances? What can you do to experience genuine joy in the midst of your trials?

Today, I was planning to share the tools that our family has used to respond correctly when we have faced difficult events. Although I really wasn’t wanting a specific illustration, God gave me the perfect opportunity to clearly show you how to use these tools.

Today is an especially busy day with multiple things needing my attention. In the midst of running a number of errands, I stopped at a location with WiFi so I could quickly finish a few minor details of this blog. I had spent a few hours on it a couple days ago, so it was almost completed. Well, the first thing that happened was that I ended up spending a half hour just to get some computer glitches taken care of. Then, much to my dismay, I discovered that somehow my blog had totally disappeared! One of the girls accidentally deleted it and this meant that I needed to start all over!

After seeking God and asking Him why He allowed this to happen today, He reminded me of what the content of this blog was all about. Although I had previously thought this content was pertaining more to major events in our lives, I now understand that we need to see how this also relates to minor irritations and frustrations.

If you have read my last blog, (“Exquisite Diamond or Chunk of Coal?”) you will understand that God always has a reason for every event that He allows in our lives. Some of these events may be a result of our own shortcomings or they may simply be an opportunity for us to grow more into the likeness of Jesus. The following tools are ones that God has given our family when we have dealt with the “blows” from our Master “Stonecutter.” These “tools” are similar to any material tools that you may own. They will never benefit you, in any way, unless you pick them up and begin using them. They are only as effective as you make them.

Tools to withstand the “blows” of your Master “Stonecutter”

1.) Accept the fact that you WILL face pain and loss in this life. Expect trials every day, but also expect God’s graceto be sufficient to carry you through. John 16:33 says, “In this life you will have trouble…but take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Okay God, I’m not just a pessimist if I expect to face something hard today…like losing the content of my blog!  I’m just trying to prepare myself for when I do face a frustration or a stressful moment. However, I am expecting Your grace to carry me through this! True grace means that I won’t allow myself to be upset or frustrated!)

2.) Believe that God is ALWAYS good. God’s goodness isn’t dependent on YOUR circumstances.

3.) Make the DAILY commitment to remove your intellect (mind, will, and emotions) from the throne and allow God to rule in its place. (God, I admit that I wasn’t really depending on You like I should have been. I was relying too much on the “arm of flesh.” I confess this as sin and I now ask You to rule in its place.)

4.) Praise the Lord even when you don’t feel like it. Job 1:21 says, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (God, You don’t ask me to FEEL like praising You when things go wrong, You simply COMMAND me to do it and when I do, the feelings will come later. So, God, I praise You for what You are going to do in my life because of this situation.) 

5.) Recognize and repent of the idols that are in your life, because this means you have made them a higher priority than your relationship to God. (God, I repent of making my schedule and my agenda an idol. Since I became frustrated, this means that I wasn’t allowing You to dictate my plans for today.)

6.) Ask God why He allowed this trial or loss in your life; then list all the benefits that He shows you. (God, as I’ve worked through the previous steps, I can clearly see how this event was for MY good. I also believe You desire to help others through this simple illustration.)

7.) Thank God for choosing your specific journey and the events that He has allowed in your life. There are two ways to look at life: you can either choose your path in life and accept the destiny it brings you to OR you can choose your destiny and accept the path that God brings to you.

8.) Recognize that if you had nothing but the very breath that you are breathing, you would have MORE than you ever DESERVE. (God, I realize that I don’t EVER have a reason for a rough or discouraging day, because I have been given much more than I ever deserve! Help me to never forget this, Father!) 

9.) Make the commitment to find your security in Christ alone. Everything else can be taken away in a heartbeat.
10.) Allow your tears to remind you that Heaven is where you will have all your longings and desires met. Stop looking at this life and expecting to be fulfilled and complete here. Take your eyes off of this earth and place them on Heaven. If you remain faithful to God, you will be able to experience an eternity of problem-free living in heaven. Be committed to END STRONG! (God, I really do want to SHINE for You! Don’t ever allow me to be a “diamond” that is stuck in the “rough” position. There are too many potential “diamonds” that grieve Your heart. I don’t ever want to be discarded by You, because I had great potential but I failed to be truly useful for Your kingdom.)

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)