Why Me? Why is This Happening to Me? Ever Asked That Question?

“Why is God mad at me?” “Why did God let this happen to me?” “Why is God punishing me like this?” These are some of the questions numerous people have ask me when they have came to me for help and in their distress. When people ask these questions, they are expressing what they feel as well trying to make sense of their life circumstances. 

When cancer strikes, a loved one is in a car accident, financial loss hits, your marriage falls apart, or your child or spouse commits suicide, people often blame God instead of the real enemy in life, satan. Jesus tells us in John 10:10 , “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV)

We live in a fallen world where there is sin, disease, disaster and loss and unfortunately we will have to contend with these things as long as we are on earth.The perfect world is heaven where there is no sorrow, mourning, tears or sickness and when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will get the opportunity to spend eternity in heaven. The good news is God walks with us in any situation here on earth, holding us by the hand as stated in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.” (NIV) I know this from my own personal experience navigating through different crisis I have faced. Unfortunately for me, I lived over half my life before I realized God really was right there for me.

For some reason, many people live life thinking that God just looks for reasons to be mad at us and is standing there ready to strike us when we sin. or do not do things right. This is simply not the truth. Scripture tells us that it takes a lot to make God angry. Love, compassion, grace and faithfulness is His character. It also tells us Christ has already paid the price for our sin, which means for us, we live in His incredible grace and mercy. I personally feel many Christians underestimate and devalue the grace God gives us. Jesus has already paid a huge price for our sin. We live in days of grace and what a gift that is for us!

In Exodus 34:6, God describes himself to Moses and says, “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (NIV)

David talks about who he has discovered  God to be in Psalm 103:8, which  states,“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”(NIV)

The misunderstanding about God and who he really is for us is found in Colossians 1:21-22, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.” (NIV) Often times we rationalize circumstances in our minds and come to a conclusion about God that simply is not true. 

Unfortunately, asking why keeps us stuck and in a victim mentality. Again, speak from personal experience as I asked why often until 12 years ago. The question I ask now is “God, what do you want to teach me in this situation and who do you want to be for me?” Sometimes God teaches me to simply trust Him or the lesson is one on patience, being kind or compassion for others. Every trial I have faced has been an opportunity of growth. When I ask "what", I win! I have experienced

God being my comforter when my heart has been broken, my peace when life unravels, my joy when life is difficult and my friend when I have been abandoned or excluded by people.

God is waiting to walk with you wherever you find yourself in life. As we approach Easter and remember Christ died for us, do not forget, your sins are paid for, God is not mad at you, Jesus came to give us a wonderful life here on earth and you always have Him to hold our hand.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native to the Texas Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth and God’s love, You can reach her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog at www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

Peaceful and Trusting or Anxious and Skeptical

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie
February 2015 Copyright

If we were to look at your “trust thermometer” how would it read? Would it show that you are a peaceful trusting person or anxious skeptical person? Life is full of trials and hardships and all of us are just one phone call from being on our knees. The days we live in are full of bombings, Isis, the threat of diseases, and job layoffs.  It is imperative that we have someone to depend on and the only  one I can think of for that job is Jesus. 

I will never forget the day I got the phone call from the neurologist concerning my mother. My mom’s processing and ability to do normal tasks had rapidly faded away and there were no answers. Finally, some tests were ordered, MRI of brain and other tests, and as I stood in my parent’s kitchen, the phone rang. I answered it, “Jones Residence, this is Kathleen.” “Kathleen, we have the results of your mom’s tests,” the doctor stated. I quickly grabbed the brown paper bag that was near and a pen so I could write the results down.

“The damage to her brain is irreversible.” the doctor continued. I wrote the words down but simply could not comprehend what I was hearing. “What do you mean irreversible?” I asked in disbelief and hoping I had the wrong definition of irreversible. The doctor continued to explain that unless there was a miracle, my mom would not get better in her ability to do normal tasks as the area of her brain that processes information had been permanently damaged. Mother was only 65 at the time and had been so full of life before she got sick with the rare  disease. Suddenly, my world shook as I tried to absorb the news.

At that moment, I had to make a decision. What would I do? I had too much on my plate to panic and knew anxiety was not my friend. I remembered Proverbs 3:5 which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” 

Trust is the firm belief in the ability and strength of someone or something. God is the only one I know that I can really trust. I have lots of great friends but God is the one constant friend that is always there.

Col. 1:17 says, “He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” (NIV) I wish I would have read this passage years ago to hang on to but what I know now is, it is true. I saw the hand of God hold things together when I did not have a clue how I would balance taking care of both of my parents, work, be a mother to my children and wife to my husband. Step by step, God walked me through that time of uncertainty and trial and held all things together for me. The phone call from the doctor was 11 years ago and I grew in trusting God.

In this season, it was imperative that when anxious thoughts came, and all the questions I did not have answers for yet, that I pushed those thoughts away and focused on God’s ability and love for me. I had to literally speak out loud, “God I trust you and I will walk in peace,” as I needed to hear those words. 

David in the Bible spoke those similar words when he was in crisis. Psalms 56:3-4 states, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise-in God I trust and am not afraid.” (NIV)

My friend, whatever you are going through, marriage difficulty, financial trouble, letting go and starting a new life, loss of a job, God is trustworthy and wants you to take his hand and walk with you. There is purpose in your trial and growing in trust reaps a wonderful crop of peace that you have a God given right to enjoy and then give to others.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native to the Texas Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth and God’s love, You can reach her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog at www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com