Who Can Straighten What God Has Made Crooked?

Debbie W. Wilson doesn't flinch from encouraging women to see their life circumstances from God's perspective, and indeed, as a Bible teacher and counselor, she points them to scriptures that reveal who God is and what He does. In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, she shares the life of Joseph as an example of God's always wise but sometimes painful plan.

"Have you ever wondered why God allowed the COVID-19 virus to stop the world?" Debbie says, "Or why He allowed your particular setback?

"Have you ever wondered what good can come from these?"

Yes, I (Dawn) have wondered about that! But the Lord revealed many unexpected gifts in the middle of the pandemic. He has a plan for us even in tough circumstances!

Debbie continues . . .

As one who values efficiency, I like McDonald’s jingle, “You deserve a break today.” But biblical and secular history show life doesn’t flow in a straight line.

Like a good novel, real life packs its share of twists and turns.

A better question might be, how should we respond when life interrupts our plans?

Ecclesiastes answers:

“Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?” (Ecclesiastes 7:13 NLT)

If God is behind something, that’s one thing.

But does this include the pain of sin and sickness?

1. Curves in the Road of Life

By divine design, we learn through living. Instead of bemoaning life’s learning curves, we do better to glean all we can from the delays. This includes our stumbles.

God uses even our worst flops for His glory when we surrender to Him (Romans 8:28; Luke 22:32; 1 John 1:9).

What about other people’s sins? Are those under God’s control?

Old Testament Joseph addresses that question.

After two dreams forecasting an amazing future, I imagine Joseph expected a wonderful life. From pampered son to reigning leader, who wouldn’t like that plan.

But God’s path to glory included some painful twists.

2. Joseph’s Tortuous Road to Greatness

• Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery.
• He rebounded to become head slave.
• His mistress relentlessly tried to seduce him.
• When he refused, she falsely accused him of attacking her.
• Instead of being crowned for his integrity, Joseph goes straight to prison in an iron collar.

While languishing in chains, Joseph probably experienced times when it felt like God had forgotten him.

As his bright future seemed to have been snatched in one jealous act, it was fulfilled in another action. Pharaoh raised Joseph out of prison and put him second in command over Egypt. Joseph eventually reunites with his family.

What I described in sentences took DECADES to achieve.

God’s plan was greater than Joseph imagined. But it hurt more than he could have fathomed.

3. Who Is in Charge?

Was this crooked path God’s way?

Genesis tells Joseph’s account from the human viewpoint. Psalms tells it from God’s perspective.

“He [God] brought famine to the land.
He took away their food supply.
He sent a man ahead of them.
He sent Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
They hurt his feet with shackles, and cut into his neck with an iron collar.
The Lord’s promise tested him through fiery trials until his prediction came true. The king … made Joseph the master of his palace and the ruler of all his possessions” (Psalm 105:16-22 GW).

God’s route for Joseph included betrayal, separation, famine, chains and prison.

No one could have straightened his path.

Not Joseph, not his father Jacob.

God used Joseph’s years as a slave and prisoner to build a strong leader.

If Joseph—and Jesus—learned obedience from what they suffered (Hebrews 5:8), why do I think I should get a shortcut?

4. Accept the Way

If Joseph wondered what he could have done to skip these hardships, he learned he couldn’t have smoothed God’s path. Every bend fell under his heavenly Father’s watchful eye.

Suffering is necessary for greatness (Romans 8:17).

Has some setback caused you to question your calling or God’s love? Have you tried to smooth the sharp turns out of life?

Take heart from Joseph and accept God’s way.

His plan for you is better than you can imagine. And He’s at work in the crooked part of your journey too.

What good might God be developing from your “crooked” circumstances today?

Debbie W. Wilson—drawing from her walk with Christ and decades as a Christian counselor, life coach, and Bible teacher—helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy grace-filled lives. Her most recent book, Little Faith, Big God, explores the lessons and lives of those found in Hebrews 11. She is also the author of Give Yourself a Break and Little Women, Big God. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit biblical counseling, coaching, and Bible study ministry. Debbie enjoys dark chocolate, a good mystery and the antics of her two standard poodles. Find free resources to refresh your faith and connect with Debbie at debbieWwilson.com.

Graphic adapted, "Joseph," from https://bible.wikia.org/wiki/Joseph_(Old_Testament).

When Life Throws a Curveball

Dianne Barker speaks clearly and wisely about many of the issues women face. In this Perspective UPGRADE, she writes about the inevitable curveballs in life.

Dianne prayed: "I didn’t see that coming! Lord, is this from you?"

I (Dawn) understand curveballs—believe me. A recent unexpected medical diagnosis sent me reeling!

Dianne's wisdom about life's curveballs is excellent.

Dianne continues . . .

I thought we’d agreed on plans. Still celebrating a national bestseller, Twice Pardoned, I asked the Lord. Where do we go from here?

Without giving Him a chance to answer, I responded to my own question.

I’ll just continue writing bestsellers, of course.

Then I got this curveball.

Being a fan of baseball, I researched the meaning of curveball and learned it’s a slow pitch causing hitters to be off-balance and swing too early. An experienced pitcher using a curveball can impact the game.

You’ve seen a hitter, anticipating a fast ball, scrunch his face and sling his bat after being tricked by a curveball he didn’t expect.

The ink was barely dry on Twice Pardoned when God began leading me from a very public life as successful journalist, speaker, and bestselling author to what I now call a shrunken life.

Caring for my parents and my husband’s parents as they declined in health kept me out of the publishing loop for fifteen years. No bestsellers.

I believe in the sovereignty of God, and He used that time to draw me to himself.

Looking back, that hard place was a sweet period of my life.

During that time, I discovered a simple explanation of the word sovereignty while having a conversation with my son who was home from college for the weekend.

I don’t remember the discussion, but I must have been bombarding him with concerns and fears. He made a comment that changed my life.

“If God isn’t in control, who is?”

What I know about sovereignty:

• God IS in absolute control.
• Everything that comes to me is filtered through His loving hands.
• Whatever touches my life, He will use it for my good and His glory. 

That’s what I know. And that’s truth to trust in when life throws a curveball.

When that happens, I say to self:

God must have a lot of confidence in me to trust me with this challenge.

And after sufficient grieving, I manage to praise Him in spite of my questions and fears. I don’t know the outcome, but I know the One who controls the outcome.

And He loves me.

“…I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3).

“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand...” (Psalm 31:14-15).

Life is unpredictable, but my response to curveballs can impact the game.

I choose to live by this decision:

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17).

I don’t welcome curveballs. But I’m certain the Lord will lavish me with love and use my experience for good while gaining glory for Himself.

Knowing that replaces my fear with expectation.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:5).

Let me ask:

How do you respond when life throws a curveball?

Dianne Barker is a speaker, radio host, and author of 11 books, including the best-selling Twice Pardoned and award-winning I Don’t Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore! Organizing for the Maximum Life. She’s a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Christian Authors Network, and Christian Women in Media Association. Visit www.diannebarker.com.