The Devil named Murphy

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time."

Fun fact: I am not only an MK (missionary kid) but a MILSO (Military Spouse). This August will mark 2 years of marriage to my one-in-a-million marine in green! My husband is currently in training to be a firefighter for the corps and he has fought some hard battles and made some difficult decisions to get to where he is today. Can you tell I'm very proud of him? I am! I'm also a mother to a 5-month-old baby boy and am currently "solo parenting."

There is a term MILSOs are very familiar with: "Murphy's Law." - Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong, at the worst possible time.

Well, it has. Before my husband left, we joined a new church in an attempt to make sure we (baby and I) would be in a healthy spiritual environment while he was gone. A few weeks ago, our pastor left suddenly. I'll spare you the details but suffice it to say, it's been a landslide effect of emotional, mental, and spiritual attack.

What I wanted to say... and did: "This isn't how it's supposed to go!" "Lord, I thought we were following your will! Why would you let us get hurt? ...again!" "Why me God? What did I do?" "Why now on top of everything else?"

What God has taught me to say: "Lord, you give and take away. Blessed be your name.'" "You are a good father. I trust you have something to teach us in this." "I know that you will work all these hard things to your perfect will and glory." "Thank you, Lord, that your ways are higher than mine!" "Thank you for protecting us in this storm."

Far too often, I see good Christians turn away from God because they don't understand how a good and loving God could allow_____. (fill in your situation here)

No judgment! I get it! It's hard! I've been through enough fires to know that at some point, you just want the pain to stop! Running from God seems like the perfect solution at the time. Oh but friend, this is a lie from the enemy!

Here's the hope:

It is not of God. By looking at the character of God, and discerning the spirit around a situation, we can know what is and isn't of Him. (2 Timothy 1:7) So why do bad things happen?

1. Because we are in a fallen world. (Romans 5:12)

One day, in heaven, there will be no more pain and death and tears. This was not God's plan. God made all things perfect from the beginning and will make all things perfect again in the end. But God did not make us robots to do exactly as we were "programmed" to. Because man has the freedom to choose, there is sin and consequences for it.

2. Jesus promised persecution to His followers. (John 7:7 & John 15:18)

It is not OF Him, but rather of the world, because of their hate of Light. God allows suffering, yes. Just as He, in His wisdom, allowed the suffering in the life of Job. God allowed Job to go through the refiner's fire but still did not cause it. (Job 23:10)

3. Sometimes, yes, it is a consequence of our actions, but it is still not of God.

It is still because of sin, and God, being a just God can not allow sin. Look at the Israelites in the desert wandering around for 40 years for their complaining spirits. The Scripture says that God corrects who He loves. (Heb 12:6-11) But just trials for doing right? No. Be very sure your heart is right with your heavenly Father! He has a place of rest for us. He only asks that our hearts be tender toward His guidance. (Heb 3:7 - 4:11)

The devile named Murphy knows when we are at our weakest moment. He knows that my husband is gone and I'm grieving the loss of my mother and I'm sleep-deprived, adjusting to life with an ever-changing, active little boy. He knows, that without a pastor, our church and every family and marriage within it, is vulnerable to attack. Praise God that we as Christians, are dead and freed from sin, and are able to still choose Christ!

Friend, as your family serves in ministry, you have the mark of Job on your backs. I don't say that to scare you or to be negative but it's true. The enemy hates what your family is doing for The Kingdom and he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10) But God is faithful to His promises and He promised to never leave us. (Heb 13:5-8) He is the good Shepherd.

Don't be weary in well doing (Gal 6:9) Press on. Fight the good fight. Know that you are loved with an everlasting love by your creator. Job was not perfect in his trials and you do not have to be either. Jesus wants to hear your questions, as any good father welcomes the questions of his child learning the way of the world around them.

I've refrained from giving song references so far

because of the wide range of convictions and beliefs surrounding music but music speaks deeply to my heart and resounds in my spirit. Take what you will from the list below but these are songs that encouraged my heart in trials. I pray it encourages you too.

"He will carry you" - https://youtu.be/1HY3iFpXVq4?si=X2c7TqbjtEhHPXTd

"I'll never forsake you" - https://youtu.be/1Pd4AttgVpI?si=oUCg31GlSLhcR-uh

"Your cries have awoken the Master" - https://youtu.be/rCfyI51QDic?si=EtcYIQvLi_F6lRG9

"Redeemer of the rain" - https://youtu.be/8ausXQbZn5c?si=XQikcgh2RxHf3KaB

"Wherever you are" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMHqJlRiZlw