"That's not from Jesus"

When something happens that my 3-year-old doesn't like she says, "that's not from Jesus." I'm not entirely sure what her picture of Jesus is, but she is positive that he doesn't like things that make her unhappy.

I think as adults we can take this view of Jesus too. When things are going well we think, "God is really blessing me. I must be doing well." And when things don't go as we'd like them to we think that either God is not doing us right, or that we have messed up somehow and are being punished.

But, Jesus himself said that "in this world you will have trouble." We should not be surprised by that. Being a Christian is not a bargaining chip that we can use with God to guarantee an easy life. We are not promised that things will go well for us all the time. But God has made some promises to us that may help during the tough times:

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." Romans 8:28-30

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

Sometimes we need a reminder that God is not a genie. Just because someone is a Christian doesn't mean that they will get what they wish for. And sometimes the answers to our prayers are not what we had hoped for. Not only that, but sometimes the answers to our prayers are so different than what we expected that we don't even recognize them.

As my little one grows older and more mature, I will try to help her understand that sometimes the things that make her unhappy might actually be from Jesus. But she can always rest assured that even those things are for God's purpose and her ultimate good.