There's No Smooth Sailing Here!

Once we resolve to obey God‘s salvation plan, it’s sometimes easy to assume that we‘ll have smooth sailing. When things go smooth, we think this proves that we’re in God’s will. However, if we run into trials (and we will – 1 Peter 1:6-7), we’re apt to conclude that both we and what we’re doing are out of God’s will. Rather than question our measuring stick (God's word), we question our dedication, and sometimes even God.

A long-time Christian once stated, “It’s a fallacy to believe that if we obey God, everything will turn up roses. Being dedicated to God means going with Him even when things go wrong. In fact, the gospel advances on disaster and suffering” — and so it does (cf. Acts 5:1-14; Acts 8:1-4; Acts 11:19-21).

Although Paul was imprisoned when he wrote to the Philippians, his hardships didn’t alarm him. His goal was to preach the gospel, and he didn’t question that goal just because he had been arrested. He made the most of the circumstances and proclaimed Christ to his captors. He realized that his chains had furthered the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14).

Let us consider our spiritual gifts and goals. Do we believe they’re from God when they flourish but question them when they lead to difficulties? Let’s not be fooled by the fallacy that life will be easy if we obey God.

There’s no smooth sailing here! Although God doesn’t remove difficulties (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), He uses them for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 4:13-14).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets