Seed Thoughts

//  Lynette Hagin

Recently I was in a grocery store completing one of many tasks I had that day. The woman checking out in front of me recognized me and struck up a conversation. At the end of the chat session, she said something that I don’t recall anyone else ever telling me. Out of her mouth came, “You must have a wonderful life.” I thought, Lady, if you knew everything that I have to do today before I go to sleep tonight, you might have a different opinion about how wonderful my life is.

Then I began to meditate on how it seems that everyone looks at others and thinks, as the old adage goes, “The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence.” Many years ago I realized that regardless of how someone’s life or lifestyle might appear, everyone faces challenges. Life is not without problems. Hard times and hard places come to us all.

I will be the first to admit that none of us likes to experience difficulties and disappointments. But life has difficult and disappointing moments. Some allow such times to cause them to become bitter. However, during these times I have looked to examples in the Bible to help me successfully navigate through the difficulties.

Joseph is a wonderful example. We’ve heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” and that is exactly what Joseph did. Even though Jacob considered Joseph his favorite child, that factor did not make life a bed of roses for Joseph. In fact, it thrust him into a long journey of difficult times. His brothers hated him and sold him into slavery. He ended up in Potiphar’s house. It looked as though things were turning around for him until he would not stoop to commit sin. He was thrown into prison and it appeared that he was forgotten.

However, in spite of the circumstances Joseph always kept a positive attitude. He had confidence that God would turn this situation around for his good. Of course we know the end of the story. God not only turned things around for Joseph’s good—He made him second-in-command over Egypt. Throughout all the difficulties, Joseph never became bitter toward his brothers for causing his life to be altered. And he was able to spare his family from the famine in the land.

David had similar experiences. He was anointed king of Israel, yet he was hunted like a criminal. King Saul hated him and tried to kill him. David was continuously on the run. And when David had an opportunity to kill Saul, he refused to do so. I am quite sure that both Joseph and David were tempted to wonder if God had forgotten them. I can imagine them thinking something like, God, I don’t understand the path that I am going down.

We don’t always understand the path in front of us. I did not understand the path that God was choosing for us when He called us to come to work for my father-in-law at Kenneth Hagin Ministries. Even though my husband and I knew that we were following the leading of the Lord, there were many challenges along the way. I always liked to see a five- or ten-year plan. But God chose to direct our steps simply one day at a time.

In order to follow peace in the midst of not understanding our journey, I had to adopt Proverbs 3:5 and 6 as my guide: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” As I look back now at the journey the Lord has taken us on, I can say it truly is more than I could have ever thought, dreamed, or imagined. All my life I have had a love and compassion for people. But I never dreamed that I would be allowed to speak into the lives of thousands around the world.

You may be going through a hard place right now. You may be pondering, as I was, Where is this journey taking me? Place your trust in the Lord and allow Him to direct your life. It will not be without some tears. But as you place your trust and confidence in God, you will be able to say as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”