During Covid I did a puzzle that absolutely drove me crazy. There was so much white. And black. And pieces that looked the same.
It took a tremendous amount of patience and perseverance (two things that are NOT my strong suit!). I actually came to see it as a spiritual discipline – stretching muscles that ached and didn’t want to be stretched.
I wrote last week that we’re in a season of transition, like many of you are. Again, this is not my strong suit. The hundreds of white puzzle pieces, like ordinary days can seem to be baffling. Where do they go? How do they help make sense of the whole?
When we read Bible stories we can see the whole picture. We can jump to the end and see how things turn out. But David didn’t know how things were going to unfold when he had been anointed king, and Saul was chasing him around the countryside trying to kill him! Esther didn’t know the specifics of God’s plan to use her to save the Jews. They trusted God and took the next right step.
A friend of mine said to me, “I wish I had known on May 5th that I would have a job on Dec. 5th. Because I didn’t, I lived in the house of fear.”
Here are 3 suggestions for when God is puzzling:
1. Step back and thank God for the bigger picture that He is creating with all the pieces of your life – the boring white ones, the confusing ones, the seemingly ugly ones, and the beautiful ones.
..keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
1 peter 1:10-11
2. Remind yourself of God’s sovereignty. He knows what we don’t know. He sees what we don’t see. He is a good God.
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 MSG
3. Ask: Lord, what do you want to refine in me through this?
We are not defined by our circumstances, but merely refined through them. We can view our circumstances as happening to us or for us.
Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
1 Peter 4:12-13
If you’re going through a time of change, you might also like to sign up for my free resource to help you process with the Lord. It will give you Scripture and some journal prompts.
I’d love to hear what kind of change you’re navigating in the comments below!
Hello Laura,
I so needed this. My change, well my breast cancer is back. Just had surgery, waiting for the pathology to determine chemo. Had my max of radiation the first time so that’s off the table. You went through the first round with me. Some moments the tears come and others, I have little fear. God is trying to settle the waves down. He knows my one wish is to live long enough to see any grandchildren my sons are blessed to have. Just once. My sister didn’t get that chance. That is what I focus on during the waves.
Thanks for keeping your blog going, it really helps.
Kim
Oh Kim, thank you for your courage in sharing this. I’m so sorry. Know that I am lifting you up in prayer – God’s hands are so much bigger than mine. May you see evidence of His great love every day. Meanwhile, this blessing by Kate Bowler came to mind:
Blessed are you on this pain-filled day.
When getting out of bed deserves an award.
When you can’t remember what it feels like
not to be so aware of your own body.
When you arrange your weeks around limitations or side effects.
Or when you stop telling the truth altogether about how badly it hurts,
how scared you are of your own mind
or the boring details of another non-diagnosis
because you’re afraid people have stopped caring.
You speak a language of suffering
the world doesn’t try to understand.
So blessed are you whose world has shrunk to a space
so small it’s defined most by what is no longer possible.
You count dear one.
And so does your pain.
It does not and did not disqualify you from belonging.
When the world feels too full of everyone else’s possibilities,
God, remind me of mine.
This body.
This day.
Oh Laura that is such a beautiful piece. Thank you so much for sharing that. My caring bridge is up and rolling again in case you want to join back in. If you need the link let me know. Otherwise I will continue to connect with you here.
I do hope you and John are enjoying this special journey in your life. I miss you both very much.
Kim