Years ago, after moving into our new home, to our surprise something else took up residence.
During one of the tours given to our friends, a grasshopper decided to jump away when we interrupted his morning sun bath. Being a country girl, I instinctively picked it up and returned it to its natural habitat, outside our new home. Our friends laughed at my quick retreat, and my husband continued on with the tour.
When we find bugs, they are unexpected and unpleasant interruptions. Some bugs can be very harmful, frustrating and cause worry.
What types of “bugs” pop-up in your life? In any given day, so many unexpected things can happen. It might be issues of health, finances, losing your job, traffic jams, car accidents, unsaved loved ones, or a child going astray.
Jesus spoke of a brand new way to live. Read the below verses to see how God says we should handle “bugs”.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? (Matthew 6:25 NLT)
Don’t let your heart be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. (John 14:1 NLT)
I cried out, “I’m slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supports me. When bouts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. (Psalms 94:18-19)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
So you see “bugs” can force us to change and ask questions. As parents, our children learn from watching us handle unwanted and unexpected pop-up situations. There are many opportunities in life to react appropriately when dealing with “bugs”. We will mess up from time to time and not handle the situation correctly, and in those cases it is important for us to admit it and discuss with our children how we should have handled it. Use the “bugs” in our life to lean more on God.
