​Sometimes when terrible things happen us, it can be tempting to ask God, WHY? WHY?? WHY??? as if it is His fault. Why didn’t you stop this from happening? YOU HAVE THE POWER TO!” As some may say. How can you do this God? Why did you do this me!?” 

Many such thoughts arise in the moments of despair or/and loss, but these thoughts are accusations from the enemy – Satan. He accuses us before God and accuses God in our thoughts. Jesus Christ came to save us and bear up our infirmities. While He was here on the earth, He restored. Satan is a destroyer, not God. Every wicked thing the devil does he’ll blame on God in our thoughts. It’s never God’s fault that we suffer, God intends to give us eternal peace. Yet this life is not where we find the fulfilled promises of God nor is this life the substance of who we are. 

We are not of this world but of God (John 17:14-18).

Why then are we in this world? 

We are in this world not to live according to this life, but to please God and lead others to repentance so that they may find Christ. We are like workers in a field, our home is not the field, though we may be there a short time or long time, and when we are done harvesting, it is time to go home and rest. 

We’re also like solders in a field, battling against the enemy so we therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4). Therefore let’s be found faithful in this life so that when the battle is over, we will return home to where we belong –Heaven. 

The late Jim Reeves sang a classic which I love so much, it’s titled this world is not my home. How many of you know or remember this song? It go thus:-

*This world is not my home I’m just a passing through.

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door.

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Oh lord you know I have no friend like you.

If heaven’s not my home then lord what will I do.

The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door.

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

*(If you want this song, I shall send it to you)*

Yes, we are all on a pilgrimage, we are not here to live, but just passing through. Our lives and the substance of it is in Christ, who has promised to prepare a place for us in His Father’s mansion in heaven. He promised He will prepare a place, and promised to take us out of this world to be where He is. 

So let’s set and condition our heart on this pilgrimage so that when trials come we will remember not to charge God with any fault. Let’s  worship God in our trials and don’t blame Him. Let’s put our trust in God. When horrible circumstances fall on us, God is good. He is not the source of our suffering or losses, but of our comfort. He not the reason for our tears, because He wipes them away. 

I pray to God to shake loose the doors of our affliction and suffering and set us free. I want us to know that whatever door Jesus opens no one can ever shut, so let’s enter boldly into the salvation prepared for us. I also pray that during our journey here on earth, God will make our heart right before Him so that we don’t miss our real home – Heaven. 

Let’s put our lives, hope and trust in God and He will remember us in His loving kindness.

Good morning and have a blessed day. 

By Dr. Adebayo Odunowo