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Nurtured During the Tough Stuff-Part 2

"Come on, let's get back to God. He hurt us, but He'll heal us. He hit us hard, but He'll put us right again. In a couple of days we'll feel better. By the third day He'll have made us brand-new." Hosea 6:1-3, The Message

No, God is not the author of evil. But, He does have a 'ways and means' committee called the tough stuff. The stuff we just don't understand: the stuff (like cars) that continue to break down, unexpected expenses, volatile markets, lost jobs, difficult relationships, breakdowns in health--the list just never seems to end.

I am not suggesting God causes or even (as some say) allows the tough stuff. I have noticed; though, when looking to Him in the midst of the tough stuff, that He uses the inevitable difficulties of living in a fallen world system. He uses all things to keep us on track or to help us get back to Him. 'All things really do work together for our good-for those who love God and are called'...back to Him. The whole issue in what Hosea was proclaiming was getting back to God!

We don't always seem to get it-we usually don't know that we have strayed off the narrow path. Just one degree off today, if our course is not quickly corrected, will put us way off in a short time. He is not about shaming or punishing-He is about getting us securely back to His heart. Look at the result of what Hosea is saying. Don't focus on the tough stuff. Back to God equates to: healed, put right again, even feeling better and made brand new!

And now for the rest of the story: "Alive and on our feet, fit to face Him. We're ready to study God, eager for God knowledge. As sure as dawn breaks, so sure is His daily arrival. He comes as rain comes, as spring rain refreshes the ground." Hosea 6:4-5, The Message

Tough stuff will (if you co-operate and allow) press you into a fresh eagerness to know Him more intimately and His ways more correctly. It will also help you to want Him more than what makes tough stuff tough. What makes tough stuff tough? Wanting “stuff” more than Him. You know- that gravy job, great pain free relationships, more finances than we may need or know how to steward, great health while not taking care of our self-and then, we will visit Him occasionally.

He will faithfully take care of the daily needs and stuff. What He wants more than anything is our intimate desire for Him. He desires for us to look for His coming as surely as the dawn breaks and the spring rains refresh. Seek Him and keep Him first and you will be nurtured during the tough stuff.

In the grip of Papa’s unrelenting grace and love, Ron Ross