When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
-(Isaiah 43:2, NLT)
…but beware.
While it is always easy to have a pity party because then we enjoy the attention and it becomes all about us, getting out of it could be a daunting task. Getting out of a rut is too much work, so we wallow and tell our friends about our misfortune, and we tell and we tell some more…but guess what? Prolong the pity party and you will see that everybody is drifting and leaving slowly until they close their doors on you and avoid you completely.
It is just so easy to blame other people for our misery. It is always easy to blame God when a disaster or calamity hit us. It is easy to say there is no God to justify our anger and disbelief than hold on to our faith when life is tough.
Pity party is the only party where everyone does not over stay their welcome. I have no doubt that true friends love and genuinely care, but who wants to be around a grouchy,unhappy person all the time? 
Even the Grinch changed his ways and decided to become one with the people of Whoville.
We, as believers are not without comfort. We are not helpless and in fact the admonition is all over the Scripture. Habakkuk realized that despite any tumultuous situation, we can find solace and strength in our Heavenly Father.
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.
Are you troubled? Are you sad? Your life situation maybe bad? Fret not, God is able to help you. Your situation may not change, but your attitude can. Rejoice, and again I say rejoice!!
Let’s have a party but a joyful party at that! Everyone is invited and can overstay their welcome. Hope attracts the hopeless. Faith reinforces the faithless. Love conquers fear. God gives strength and courage to the weary.
How are you today?
Are you in pain? A nasty sickness or disease is incurable?
Are you in a rut? Do you feel like you are struggling to get out of a quicksand or drowning and trying to stay above water?
Are you unemployed? Are you broke? Collectors harass you? Scared to open bills?
Are you grieving over the loss of someone you loved? A break up, a divorce maybe?
Are you sad? Depressed? Do you feel like family and friends abandoned you?
Are you in the company of Jack Daniels, Jose Cuervo or Remy Martin?
Do you go down, full speed or in oblivious ecstasy?
You hate life, I assume. It sucks big time huh?
What to do?
(This is a bit lengthy but please indulge me and keep reading).
I know of a man who went through hell and back, so to speak. His life was at its peak. Riches, family, good health. Then one day KABOOM. Everything gone.
He lost his kids, every single one of them, friends mocked him, his health deteriorated. He wanted so much to die. But he wouldn’t and here’s why…
God didn’t want him to die. Death wasn’t in the cards for him. God was just testing him.
Really?
Who amongst us have not experienced anything as bad or nearly as bad as Job’s? When we experience difficulties in life, what do we do? We whine. We throw a fit. And why not, ” I have been serving God, I have been a good person, I live a righteous life, so why me?”
Why not you?
People think of life’s difficulties as God’s punishment. God does not care, God does not love me, God is unfair. Seriously?When we experience trials in our lives, we always get upset with God and question Him and we always ask WHY WHY WHY?
What I will tell you will change the way you look at trials forever (hopefully). Read on:
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
You noticed the tone of God? Does it sound like he was trying to punish Job? To me it sounded like HE WAS VERY CONFIDENT OF JOB. Satan was mocking God by saying “He only”loves” you because his life is very good. Take away all the comfort in his life, see if he doesn’t curse you in your face!”
“Suit yourself, be my guest. Knock yourself out. I trust Job. I love him, so you can do whatever pleases you, just not kill him.” Is that a wow moment or what?
When we face a life-threatening experience or difficulties that threaten to take away our property, money or job we think to ourselves : “Is this really necessary?” It is tough and very uncomfortable but sometimes the “unnecessaries” are necessary to complete the process and come with an outcome pleasing to God and beneficial to man.
Like a father, our God takes pride in us and is very pleased with us. He loves us and trusts us so much that He is willing to put us to tests because He is confident that we will stay faithful to Him and that we will stand the tests, like gold and diamonds.
Job trusted God too despite everything and in the end God restored what he lost and more.
God gives, God takes away but guess what? He restores, too!
If we knew ahead of time that God would restore after testing, wouldn’t we raise our hands and say “pick me pick me!”? But then our motives would be questionable and where’s the real test of character there?
So when we are faced with life’s trials and difficulties, instead of getting mad at God, take comfort that our Father is pleased with us and confident that we will overcome.
Instead of why me, ask why not me? This, after all is necessary.
*all pictures courtesy of google
prodigal daughter 
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