SARA DUBOSE|GUEST

Think about it. Have you reached a point where you can recognize, and even celebrate, God’s sovereign choice in your life? It’s not always easy, is it?

Today the sun is shining, but rain is predicted for tomorrow. The same scenario may be the case in our personal lives.

God’s Faithfulness

My latest bit of nasty weather began about 5 months ago and neither the GP nor gastroenterologist could determine the source of my constant fatigue. Finally, I was sent for a CT scan which revealed a ruptured diverticulum, requiring immediate surgery. I spent a week in the hospital, followed by home health care, including physical and occupational therapy. However, I credit the greatest source of renewed strength to my faithful Lord and Bill, my faithful husband.

Recently, I laughed and said, “Bill, when God called you into the profession of dentistry I bet you never dreamed you would be using some of those same skills to dress and re-dress abdominal wounds.” He nodded and grinned and continued to smile as he completed the daily procedure that takes at least thirty minutes each time.

Naturally, other significant changes also came into play for my husband: grocery shopping, cooking, dish-washing, and a long list of chores that became a part of his daily routine. On top of that he was, and still is, thinking of other ways to simply make life easier and make me smile. Observing his faithfulness points my heart back to our faithful Creator.

Our Sovereign God

Let’s take a moment to consider our sovereign and faithful God a bit more. For one thing, He is self-contained. Our God possesses all that is needed within Him. He created, and now controls, all things including man who is made in His image. In other words, He has a comprehensive plan and exercises providence over all of His creation. Nothing escapes His eye or His directing hand. According to John Calvin, everything that occurs in this life is based on God’s eternal decrees, “The will of God is the supreme and first cause of all things, because nothing happens but by his command or permission.” Ephesians 1:11 states it well: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”

Here is another thought. As much as you and I would like to exercise control over a given situation, Our Father in heaven knows better. In fact, when we are living in obedience to Him, the eyes of our heart begin to see and appreciate His wisdom. We recognize and submit to His sovereignty once again. He, in turn, gives us contentment and peace.

Applying God’s Sovereignty

Of course, it is easier to recognize and thank God when He is answering our prayers, but not so simple when we feel we’re being squeezed like a lemon. I felt squeezed like a lemon with my health problems. Day after day, I had to force myself to recall Romans 8:28: “…in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Whether I like the process or not, God is using this illness in my sanctification—for my good and His glory. Like my husband, He remains faithful through the hard times. How do I know? I know because He is my Abba Father, or daddy. In fact, Roman 8:16 declares, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

And so today I commit myself to the remainder of Romans 8, especially verses 35-39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death no life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Compared to what many Christians are enduring today, my health issue is minor. More importantly, my LORD has a purpose in it and He is forever faithful. I can, and will, celebrate God’s sovereign hand in my life and in my health.

Sara DuBose is the author of five inspirational novels, scores of articles/stories, and appears in several anthologies. She is also the author of Be Anxious For Nothing: Finding Hope In A Hectic World published by CDM of the Presbyterian Church in America, and is designed for individual or group study. To review a chapter, click here.  All of Sara’s books are also listed on Amazon.