By: Sarah Geringer
Does drama get dumped in your lap, even when you don't ask for it?
It seems to happen to me all the time! Maybe it happens to you too. You're a drama magnet without even trying to be one.
I have good news for you: your faith can grow even when drama gets dumped in your lap. Here's a story about how I learned this lesson.
Last year a mini-drama unfolded with one of my children at school. It arose from a teacher's misstep. My child was beyond furious and frustrated. I was the first one to receive the full force of my child's pent-up feelings.
The teacher called me. Other parents called me. We had a full-out drama on our hands. Yet I still had dinner to prepare, dishes to put away, and work to wrap up that evening.
Many emotions swirled around me in the late afternoon. At least my child had done nothing to provoke the situation, so I thankfully didn't need to deal with discipline. But I had to find a way to comfort my child in the midst of the confusion.
I found a breath of peace in prayer, right when I needed it. I walked around my bedroom that afternoon, praying after the phone calls. God reminded me he is not the author of confusion. He reminded me that he foreknew the events of the day, and he foreknew their impact on my child.
God also reminded me that I did nothing to ask for this drama, and yet it was sitting in my lap.
I read my One Year Bible every morning. At the time the drama got dumped in my lap, the book of Job started up in the reading sequence. I decided I was just not in the mood to read Job, even though it's a book I love. I chose to focus on the easier New Testament readings instead.
But God reminded me during my unwanted drama: Job didn't ask for his drama either.
My dramatic afternoon had no comparison to Job's intensity of suffering. Yet, God used Job's story to comfort me.
Job had no way of knowing that his story was really a showdown between God and Satan. He was simply given a load of suffering he didn't deserve. Yet Job learned through his suffering that he didn't deserve favor of any kind from God, especially when God finally addressed him from the whirlwind.
God never gave Job insight into the drama, at least on this side of heaven. Yet in the end Job was amazed and humbled by God's presence, saying, "I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me." This is a man who lamented his legitimate losses for 30+ chapters. Then he said, "I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance." (Job 42:3,6 NLT) Job found peace in God's character, not in an answer to the "Why?" question.
How did I find peace in the midst of drama? Not by asking why. I found peace by trusting that God has a plan in the unexpected drama, even though I couldn't see it in the moment. Even if he never shows me why it happened to my child (a year later, he still hasn't shown us).
When I consider God's goodness to me, it overshadows all the drama I'm dealing with. He's handling it on the heavenly side. He's simply asking me to trust him on the earthly side.
Now that a year has passed, the drama is over. But I realize that truly was a dramatic moment we didn't invite in our lives. The initial drama has faded, and we're in a better place now. Knowing that God provided peace on the other side helps me trust him in my current dramas.
I hope as you reflect on dramatic moments in your past, you will also see that God has offered you peace afterward. I hope you will accept his perfect peace today if you are facing unwanted drama.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
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Reflection questions:
1. What drama are you dealing with today?
2. How can you find peace through prayer in the middle of your drama?
Sarah, this is so timely. In our ladies bible study we are studying Job. And just like you said, he didn't ask for the drama. And he never did find out why the drama came into his lap. I know in life there will be drama. If not now, sometime in the future. We may never know why, but we can choose to make the best of it and know God sees the drama and will work it to our good. And the nice thing is, drama always passes and ends.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. We often bump up against drama that isn't of our own making. But thankfully, God uses these moments to strengthen our faith in His good care. I'm so glad that's what you found and held on to, Sarah! You're a great mom and devoted follower of Christ! Thanks for reminding us to turn to Him when the storms of life blow!
ReplyDeleteI love what you said about Job never finding out the purpose for his drama on this side of heaven. I'm bad about depending on the understanding the question of 'why,' but this is a great reminder that I may not be able to understand the answer to that question yet. I've just got to keep trusting. Thank you for such a great post, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThis is super fantastic, Sarah.
ReplyDelete"Job had no way of knowing that his story was really a showdown between God and Satan."
You write this well, and it hits home. I do give voice to my questions now--to God, in journaling or song. It helps me to come full circle and realize he has the answers even if I won't ever know them.
I am sharing this around today my friend. Keep up the good work and prayers for your child's heart too.