Religion see more »

The year was 1929 and J.C. Penney was a patient in the Kellogg Sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan. He was broken in health and filled with despair.

Getting out of bed one night, he wrote farewell letters to his wife and son, saying he did not expect to live to see the dawn, but the next day brought an experience that changed Penney’s life and restored his health.

When J.C. Penney awoke the next morning he was surprised to be alive. Rising and going downstairs he heard a service going on in a little chapel where devotions were held each morning. The people gathered there were singing "God will take care of you."

Going into the chapel, this man who thought no one cared, listened to the leader read the Bible and pray. Then, in Penney’s words, "something happened." He said he couldn’t explain it but for the rest of his life referred to this experience as a miracle, saying he felt as if he had been transported from hell to paradise and realized that God was there to help him, adding, "From that day to this, my life has been free from worry."

Penney’s chapel lesson dispelled his fears and prepared him for a bright and successful future as founder of the department store chain bearing his name. He had learned that God really cares, but this can be a difficult lesson to learn.

We live in a troubled world and trouble comes to all. If our concept of God’s care is dependent on our circumstances we may find ourselves doubting His love.

Few people have trouble doubting that God cares when things are going well. But things do not always go well.

How do you react when trouble comes?

Do you become pessimistic? Depressed? Even angry at God?

In his excellent article, "Pulling Through Depression," well known writer and columnist, Craig Massey, says we sometimes isolate ourselves from God by saying, in essence, "I don’t believe You care. I don’t believe You hear me."

This kind of response to trouble is not just a product of these tense times but has surfaced in times of trial through the centuries.

Consider Job’s wife.

When her husband was healthy and wealthy, it was easy to sense God’s care in all their affairs. There is no record of even one negative word from her during their time of prosperity.

Then trouble came.

She and her husband lost everything, including their seven sons and three daughters. Then when Job developed serious health problems, she concluded that God had forsaken them and blurted out her now infamous statement: "Curse God and die!"

Even in the face of this faithless outburst however, Job remained faithful and reminded his troubled wife that her negative response to their problems was not like her, explaining that God’s love is unchanged no matter the circumstances.

Negative attitudes overcome us when despair leads us to conclude that some areas of life lie outside the circle of God’s love. This kind of thinking compartmentalizes God and limits expectation of His care.

Are you passing through severe trials?

Our Lord knows what you’re going through today.

He understands and cares.

Like J.C. Penney’s life changing experience in a little chapel at a time when he thought his life was over, your present problems can be but springboards to greater faith and the building of a future that is better than today.

Roger Campbell is an author, a broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years. He can be reached rcministry@ameritech.net.