I wrote an article for the latest issue of Relevant Magazine entitled Where Is God When Things Fall Apart?
Here’s a portion of the article…
Eight years ago, I started a new job and on the very first day of that new job, I knew it wasn’t a good fit. I remember putting my head on the desk and thinking, Pete, what have you done? I’d left a job I loved working at a church I’d helped start. I’d only made the move because I believed it was what God wanted me to do. I’d believed it was God pushing me out of that proverbial comfort zone.
“I thought this was your will,” I’d pray. “I thought this is what you wanted me to do. What am I missing? How did I screw this up?”
Just a little over a year later, I resigned from that job. Discouraged, bitter and confused, the only thing I knew for sure was that I never planned on working in a church ever again.
To my surprise, the next few months proved to be more difficult than the previous ones. Overwhelmed with questions about God, my calling and the Church in general, I felt lost.
At some point during those hard months, a friend met me for coffee. Right in the middle of my complaining to him about all I was going through, he looked at me and said: “Pete, do you think you’re the only person who has experienced disappointment with God? I hate to break it to you, but all of us face moments in life when we feel as though God doesn’t show up like we thought He would.”
Contrary to what you may have thought as a kid, life is full of disappointments. And those disappointments can leave you wondering if God is still involved in your life. And if He is involved, what He’s doing exactly
(CLICK HERE to continue reading the article)
Loved the article, Pete. I had a similar experience when I took a job and relocated (again) in late 2007. I knew very quickly that it was not a good fit but I felt obligated to be there so I kind of went under and spent a good few months in a depression over the whole situation. I felt trapped. Less than a year in I resigned, also discouraged, bitter and confused. That was a terribly difficult time in my life, but it was also incredibly defining in ways I didn’t realize until much later.
I used to tell one of my former bosses all the time, “we don’t learn when we win.” God has continually used “losing” and the disappointment of my expectations to shape me in ways I don’t think would have ever happened if I had gotten what I wanted or if it had worked out.
.-= Grant Jenkins´s last blog ..What I Thought I Wanted, What I Got Instead =-.
Don’t you wish God could use “winning” like he does “losing”?
um, yes.
.-= Grant Jenkins´s last blog ..What I Thought I Wanted, What I Got Instead =-.
I think I’m languishing a bit right now. It’s funny. I don’t doubt God per se, I doubt myself. Having thoughts like, “Maybe God’s just finished with me.” It increases my feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt. I’ve always struggled with confidence issues but leading worship ministry was something I actually thought I did well. The past few months have made me wonder if I was just delusional. When I’m on the mission field I feel good again, but when I’m here I’m definitely struggling. Not much is turning out like I expected or hoped. Yeah, I’d say that this week I’m languishing……
I’m really trying to stay focused on what is good, pure, etc.
.-= Jan Owen´s last blog ..We all Need to Be Needed =-.
God is always there. He not only is living in me, but daily filling me when I surrender to His will. Having an intimate relationship is key to knowing in your core that in the midst of the dirtiest intense life tornado that it is God holding onto me, not me onto Him. Moreover, He never lets even one sin committed against me or disaster that crushes all I know be worthless – Certainly not! He uses all circumstances – especially the most painful – to conform me to the image of Christ Jesus so that I may more perfectly love others and draw others to Him.
God is there – and He is ready to redeem anything that “falls apart” for His glory and my benefit… the faster I surrender to Him the easier it is for me to see what He is really doing.
.-= Lindy Abbott´s last blog ..I want to apply for Helen Thomas Position! =-.
Powerful article. Perspective is an amazing thing yet so hard to have in the midst of the struggle and discouragement. For me, when we did the “Experiencing God” study by Henry Blackaby… it helps expand my perspective in a great way.
.-= Daniel Decker´s last blog ..The Curse of Knowledge =-.
what a perfect read this was for me today.
pete, thank you.
thank you.
.-= tam´s last blog ..rest well video =-.
Hope it was helpful to you Tam!
Great article – great questions. Often in the questions, we may not find the answers immediately, but we’re immediately embraced by the Author of answers. And that might be the best solution during dissapoinment. God’s there, here, near. Disappointment, frustration will flow and I’m re-learning to rest in every season in His embrace and follow His direction forward. Thanks for being open and honest with your seasons, because we all have them. Blessings.
.-= Jack Schull´s last blog ..Power Notes =-.
What an amazing and thought provoking article. I have come across so many people that pose such a question and when I look back on my “troubles” in my life, I probably have asked such a question. One thing that is important through all of this; It is OK to ask God questions, as long as we do not question God. Thank you for sharing and God Bless.
To God be ALL of the Glory!
Jeff, can you define the difference in “asking God questions, and questioning God”? Thanks.
.-= Julie R.´s last blog ..My God Box =-.
i guess what Jeff was implying was that “asking God questions” is just that, asking God questions. Questioning God, however, is questioning the very existence of God or whether He cares… MHO.
.-= Zee´s last blog ..[guess i am not pentecostal] =-.
I don’t want to speak for Jeff but I think Zee summed up what I was thinking.
I understand. I’m not sure as if its “wrong” to question God’s existence or if He cares. Sometimes people get into a place where they truly wonder about those things,(especially if they are dealing with a Plan B scenario).
I have not read your book yet. I hope to very soon, however, I have listened to the podcasts of your Shattered Dreams series and several other messages as well. In the past few days, God has used your thoughts and ideas to help me personally minister to friends who are going through things that are threatening their dreams… I am so thankful to have words to share that I didn’t have before. Pete, God is using you in mighty ways, brother…even when YOU don’t personally get to be involved.
Thank you Pete. I’ve made that same promise, to never again work for a church. I think God laughed at that one, knowing what was to come. He walked me through the pain, the bitterness, the confusion. I look back on that time and realized it was a clarifying time in my life. It sucked, it was awful, it was horrifying, and it was wonderful.
.-= Amanda Sims´s last blog ..Lessons from a Swimming Pool =-.
i took a good friend out the other night for her birthday. she’s got 2 toddlers and is separated from her husband. he’s an addict, but raised in the church. she’s been beating herself up about whether divorce is a “lack of faith” step. she went on & on about how maybe this is not letting God be God. “God can change him right?” “maybe i have to wait it out.”
i didn’t have advice for her. i had no revelation on whether or not divorce was the answer. but it turns out that i comforted her with this: “God is with you, in the wise decisions & in the underdeveloped ones. we have to make choices as humans. that’s part of the deal. but your benefit is that you have God with you. He is there whether you need strength, healing, forgiveness, hope, peace, or even pure joy. if you choose to stay & struggle & feel rejected, but possibly feel that you’re living out a great faith… God is there. if you choose to let go & have hope for your husband’s future, no longer holding on to your future together & struggle to do life as a mom without a partner… God is there.” this may feel like hell, but this is not. God is here.
So where is God when everything’s falling apart? I believe he is right there with you.
great post Pete.
.-= JuliaKate´s last blog ..interview with a covert conspirator… =-.
Well said Julia!
Such a great article, Pete. I think it’s something I really needed to hear. I’ve posted a link to it on my blog.
.-= Shelley´s last blog ..Pete’s Awesome Article =-.
My mama always told me I was special. I guess meeting the Holy Spirit and finding out who God really is when it all fell apart may too fall under this catagory. Don’t get me wrong since walking this path there has been many foggy mornings but it doesn’t take much prayer and a crosspoint achrive to get refocused.
loved the article (and loving the book)…
.-= Zee´s last blog ..[guess i am not pentecostal] =-.