Do you enjoy reading novels that detail the good things that happen in life even if that story happens to be fiction? It’s easy to get into the sensationalism of the lives of characters that we enjoy. In fact, we sometimes become part of those characters in more ways than one might think. Our escape into a fantasy-filled life and fictional drama might be a way to temporarily forget about today’s mountains that we dread climbing.
It is a great stress relief from reality by zoning out. Is there another way for some “stress-relief thinking?”
I suggest we look to God’s word on life-stories on how men and women of old were able to deal with their life story. These action-packed lives often have some real life drama but the bonus is that we see how our true God filled these men and women with wisdom and guidance that led them to a closer relationship with God.
We have many examples of how men and women reached out to God to climb their mountains and to reach the other side of the mountain walking by Gods side with a stronger faith that wasn’t a fantasy. Take a look at Abraham and Sarah.
Abraham, originally called Abram, was a wanderer until he encountered God and started living a life of faith. Genesis 11:27 through Genesis 22:19. Abram began his spiritual pilgrimage after dealing with challengies of life, including the tragic death of his brother Haran.
Joseph played an interesting role in biblical history but he had his “ups and downs” even with his brother as a result of how his mother and father played some favoritism that affected his relationship with his brothers. But is God’s involvement in his life unique? One of the many reasons God was very active in Joseph’s life was all about what he had instore for him “down the road.” This might be applicable to ours as well. The bible says that he never leaves us or forsakes us in both the good and the bad things we experience (Hebrews 13:5).
Do you think that Joseph felt close to God with all of the drama that was in his life like when he was thrown in the pit and sold and made a slave? We see that God was there continuously for Joseph and many others as detailed in Romans 8.
This same God who guided Joseph and Abraham is there to remind you that no matter what you are experiencing, good or evil, no matter how long it’s lasting, you are not alone (John 14:18). God is with you (Psalm 23:4), he is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28), and will be there for you until the very end (Matthew 28:20).
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