"When we request plan A and Christ responds with plan B, how should we react?"

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, You Are Never Alone (p. 31). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

That is a very good question and a difficult one, isn't it?

Max says, "May I approach this topic gently? Before I suggest an answer, may I tell you I am sorry we have to discuss the question? I’m sorry you have a yet-to-be-answered prayer. I’m sorry the job did not materialize, the spouse did not apologize, or the cancer chose to metastasize. I’m sorry you find yourself between Cana and Capernaum. Life has its share of dark, dank moments.

"And Christ will not remove all the pain this side of heaven."

Max goes on, "Did someone tell you otherwise? Did someone assure you that God permits only blue skies and rainbows and sunbeams? They misspoke. Read the Bible from the table of contents in the front to the maps in the back, and you will not find any promise of a pain-free life on this side of death.

"But you will find this assurance: 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you' (Heb. 13:5 NIV)."

He continues, "Perhaps the answer will come this side of heaven. Perhaps it awaits you on the other side. Either way, this story urges you and me to keep walking and believing in our God who is our 'ever-present help in trouble' (Ps. 46:1 NIV). Don’t you love that phrase?

"Ever present. Not occasional or sporadic help. You’ll never be put on hold or told to check back later. He’s never too busy, preoccupied, or away on a prior engagement. God is . . .

"Ever present. As near as your next breath. Closer than your own skin. 'Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there' (Ps. 139:7–8 NIV). Rehab clinic? He is there. Prison cell? He is present. No boardroom is too superior. No brothel is too vulgar. No palace is too royal. No hovel is too common. 'He is not far from any one of us' (Acts 17:27 NIV). He is present. And he is present to . . .

"Help. Not hurt, harm, or hinder. He is here to help."

He then says, "Do your days feel like a hike on an Appalachian Trail in the dead of winter? Is it all you can do to place one foot in front of the other? If so, I urge you to hang on! Hold on! Don’t give up. Help is here. It may not come in the manner you requested or as quickly as you desire, but it will come. Assume that something good is going to happen. The door to tomorrow is unlocked from the inside. Turn the knob and step out."

So will you do it, no matter what you are going though, no matter how Christ has responded? So will you react in trust and faith?

Yes, yes!

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