During the holiday season, our thoughts often turn to gift-giving… the sometimes arduous task of finding “just the right thing” especially for our family and friends. And while most of the time we do pretty well, I am sure on occasion we miss the mark. However, most of our loved ones receive our gifts graciously… as Mom always said, “Say thank you and act like it is the best present you have ever been given.”
But, what happens when you receive something from God you didn’t think you needed and didn’t particularly want?
Sometimes He hands us something that isn’t what we are hoping for, or what we think we need. It doesn’t match the vision we have for ourselves or our business.
It doesn’t look like a gift… Sometimes it even looks like a mistake…
God Doesn’t Give Bad Gifts
During these times it is important to remember that God’s desire is to to teach us many things, grow us in many ways and draw us ever closer to Himself.
He may do so by giving us hard things, even painful things. We must remember it is not His nature to give bad gifts. The Bible says, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
It is not the nature of a Loving Father to give evil things to His children.
We have two choices when we receive something unwanted. We can refuse to accept what is given and turn away, OR we can embrace the challenge put before us.
3 Steps To Help You Embrace Unwanted Gifts
- Always look for the light. What is that old saying? “Every dark cloud has a silver lining.” Concentrate and even meditate on the positive, the growth, the strength and insight you or your business will gain from experiencing difficulty.
- Stay focused on God’s work. Keep your eyes on on Him. As small business owners, we of course have concerns and worries – but if we’re not careful, we can let worry, fear and anxiety creep in and take control. Don’t let Satan have the victory… put on your armor and pick up your sword. Reading God’s Word is one of the most helpful things you can do during difficult times.
- Trust God to make a way. When you can’t see the way, walk by faith and not by sight. What He gives, He will equip you to do – this includes your business. Put your faith in the One who made the path, Who has already planned the journey, and Who knows the big picture. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones, the great Welsh preacher wrote, “May I say it with reverence, there is nothing I know of that is so romantic as God’s method of accountancy. Be prepared for surprises in this Kingdom. You never know what is going to happen.”
So, next time you receive something that is unexpected and unwanted, remember that this gift was chosen exclusively for you.
God knows our exact size, and it is always a perfect fit.
Great counsel. I’m a Padtoral Counselor and couldn’t have stated better.
I posted it on Facebook.
Thanks so much Ethel… God is so good to send us encouragement when we need it!
your words have given me pause for thought. going thru a stressful situation, i keep asking myself, “what am i supposed to be learning?”. i keep looking for the answer.
maybe there is no lesson…maybe it’s just something i don’t want because i can’t see the [future] usefulness…or goodness in the situation. i’m going to stop asking and just try to be ‘thankful in advance’ for the unwanted gift.
thank you!
Thanks for being so open… sometimes I see it is not so much our earthly work that is important to God but the work we do in His service… that the relationship with Him is the most important thing and He will guide us through this life and into the joy of being with Him in the next. Praying for you!