How Do You React To Difficulties?

August 13th, 2023

by Bro. Duane Marshall
08/13/2023

2 Kings 5:1-4 - “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.”

This passage teaches us to believe that our circumstances are ordained and planned by God for His glory. It proves that nothing happens by accident, but everything is for our good.

Each circumstance is part of God’s perfect plan if we realize that our words will have more impact if our lives reveal trust in God’s circumstances.

The young girl spoken about in our passage was a captured slave. It becomes evident God had a plan for her being brought into Naaman’s home.

Nothing in our lives is an accident. Every difficult circumstance is orchestrated to bring glory to our Heavenly Father. Psalms 37:23 - “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Sometimes we cannot understand the intricate leading of the Lord, but we can trust Him because He sees the big picture.

God in His mercy and loving-kindness will never lead us in an evil way. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God’s plan includes being productive where you are.

While this young girl must have had moments of fear, loneliness, anger, and frustration, the bible doesn’t record them. Instead, God focuses on this girl rising above human emotions or sinful reactions to show us that everything starts with an attitude because our attitude determines our outlook.

This girl could have been sour and bitter toward Naaman. She is now forced to serve the one who had ruined her life! Instead, her spirit produced a life of exemplary service toward her enemy.

When God’s love changes us, our response to others also changes. His love compels us to share it with others. The Bible tells us there were many lepers during this time, but only one was cleansed from leprosy. Luke 4:27 - “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.”

Who knows...that one word of faith shared with someone else could change their destiny forever.