Sometimes Life Tastes Yucky

I think it is true—perhaps you do, too. Sometimes life dishes out some distasteful things and, in those times, there seems to be nothing we can do about it. I am talking about those experiences we would prefer not to have, but are forced to partake. You can probably think of some…I know I can.
 
For example, years ago, I was a guest preacher at a church and the church leaders took me to the house of a dear older woman who wanted to show the visiting team of ministers some southern hospitality. This saintly woman, with the best of intentions, served us a meal of tuna fish, potato salad and burnt beans. I am sure she was a great Christian woman…but she cooked undoubtedly the worst food I have ever tasted. If you could die from a poorly cooked meal, I think that would have been my last day on earth.
 
How about you? Have you had distasteful experiences which come to mind? Admittedly, I am not really talking about experiences that involve a meal—but those which you think of as distasteful life situations. In those times, we can relate to the small boy whose parents insisted that he eat some spinach at the dinner table one evening. The boy smartly said, “Why are all the vitamins in spinach and not in ice cream where they belong?”
 
I am not sure why that is—I am just sure that is the way it is. Spinach is loaded with more of the kind of nutrition that we need than ice cream. Even so, it is also true that the tough experiences of life bring about more of what we need than the easy experiences.
 
We would all prefer an easier road in life but the difficult climbs usually bring us closer to God. Paul discovered this with his “thorn in the flesh” experience. He prayed for God to take it away. However, God did not take it away but instead caused it to stay. Moreover, He taught Paul, “(His) grace would be sufficient…and (His) power would be made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
 
You may have a hard time understanding the value of some distasteful experiences in the moment. Nevertheless, scripture invites us, in those times when we face trials of many kinds, to pray about it with the promise that God will give us insight to it. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
 
The next time you have to eat spinach and not ice cream, find some comfort in knowing that there is something you need in the experience and there will be some benefit by going through it. This may not bring you immediate satisfaction, but perhaps, in time, God will bring you a greater appreciation.
 
In the meantime, as for me, I am going to finish this article and run to the refrigerator to get some Blue Bell…
 
Devotedly yours,
 Pastor Ron