I was reflecting on how common it is for us, in times of trouble in this broken world, to do whatever we can to push the blame away from ourselves and find a scapegoat on whom to pin responsibility. Often, fault is truly not ours…but when it is we tend to blame others or God, as though it were His job to make us happy. I remembered this fitting quote from a book I read in college by James Baldwin:
“It seems to me that trouble is the one thing that never does get stopped and I don’t know what good it does to blame it on the Lord.” James Baldwin, in Sonny’s Blues
A few words from God to encourage our hearts today:
“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world…I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.” Jesus, in John 16:33
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
