“You sure are lucky!” Ever heard that phrase? It is usually uttered from someone who might have a jealous eye toward you. But when the world thinks your luck has run out, people can tend to shun/shame us. As luck wouldn’t have it, wouldn’t have the honor we desire, neither does being unlucky produce the honor we hope to find.
Name the Shame: Embarrassment over circumstances we cannot control.
Name the Honor: Being esteemed in other’s eyes.
Two Truths and a Lie:
- Truth #1: There is no such thing as luck. There is no shame we should feel when hard circumstances befall us.
- Truth #2: We live in a fallen uncertain world.
- Lie: Luck is for everyone else but you.
As Luck Wouldn’t Have It: Illness
With St. Patrick’s Day being today, it seemed fitting to do a post on luck. This past year I took a major hiatus from posting due to cancer again, long COVID again, and my husband’s cancer diagnosis, as well. Sometimes we can feel like we can’t catch a break, but despite the problems we encounter in this world, they are temporary, and they happen to everyone. Just ask Peter about that one. His road was not easy either:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12, ESV).
Speaking of fiery trials, check out my blog post this past week about a fire at our home.
As Luck Wouldn’t Have It: No charms. Just Jesus.
In the end, it is God’s promises that we need to hold onto. Not a good luck charm. Not people’s praises or jealousy (yuck!) of our favor (which isn’t for us, anyway), or mockery when things are not seeming to be in our favor.
The good news is that God wins in the end and so do we if we are in Christ.
His grace is grater than any temporary favor (notice, I did not say “luck”). So, friend, if you are feeling discouraged today because of all that has happened to you, let me share some good news with you. God is in that pit with you. And He is well able to help you. Don’t look for favor. Look for God’s glory in all of life’s twists and turns. God’s got you.
“But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:7, ESV).