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No Peace In Fortune Cookies — Thoughts After The Quake in Haiti

By Bonnie Gray • January 18, 2010 • 33 Comments

We look for signs of security when we face uncertainty, but God holds the keys to peace in a radical way of trusting.

As a little girl, I loved going out for Chinese food.  One thing I could get at a restaurant that we didn’t have at home came after the meal, along with the check, delivered on a scratched up, brown plastic tray.

Fortune cookies. One for each of us.

My younger sister usually gobbled hers up right way. Me, I’d shattered the bow-tie shaped cookie to extract the scrunched up, red inked words inside.

Seemed like harmless fun.  If good fortune lined up with coincidence, great.  If not, a silly string of words served as cheap entertainment.

I’m all grown up now.  But, my human nature still wants to see a sign.

Is there good in store or bad ahead? 

I might not be digging for revelations in a cookie any longer, but I can get anxious or discouraged, focusing on the momentary circumstances in life.

A Bit of Haiti in Our Uncertainty

As news of Haiti’s earthquake hit our hearts with photos of people crying from crumbled rubble and dead body parts strewn in public places, I could not help be reminded that I am not exempt from losses, too.

I know that God is my protector.  But, the life of Job in the Bible also tells me that tragedy can strike, and I may never know why.

As we mourn the losses of those far away, I was sobered by life’s other earthquakes which threaten to change the landscape of our lives: stress, sickness, unemployment and strife.

How can we stay at peace in the midst of uncertainty?

In Place of Good Fortune

God’s words point us away from turning to our successes, possessions or circumstances, as signs of security.

In fact, we are all vulnerable to undesirable outcomes, no matter how much we number the pros and cons on a balance sheet.  Even when we are following God’s will, we are not immune to loss and risk.

In times of uncertainty, we naturally turn to the things we can visibly see to make us feel better.   We want to take action.  We want to prevent anything bad from happening in the future.

Amidst all the shaking of our confidence, God calls us to a radical way of responding.  To turn from reacting to what we see happening, to resting in a different place called faith.

He calls us take our focus off the what-ifs and place our trust in who He is.

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear,
though the earth should change.
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea…

Cease striving and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:1,2,5, 10

Everyone tries to analyze what will happen — the economy, our health, and the natural world we live in. It’s easy to get caught up in the anxieties, when we look to ourselves as the keeper of all things.

It might seem anti-intuitive, but God calls us to turn our hearts and minds away from the self-sufficiency — which isn’t enough — and turn us towards yielding everything to Him.

Let us choose to follow God and trust Him.
To lean on Him, rather than our own understanding.

Following God is based upon my relationship with Him rather than a special ‘sign’. ~ Biblical Scholar Bruce Waltke, “Finding the Will of God:  A Pagan Notion?”

I still love going out for a bite of Hunan and Szechuan.  And I look forward to cracking open my fortune cookie, after finishing all the food.  I crunch as I read the thin slip of paper and chuckle, as I toss it, along with the rest of the crumbs on the table.

 

How has uncertainty spoken to you in the past weeks of the new year, personal and current events?

How has God given you peace in the midst of the uncertainty?

 

 ~ TUNE INTO TUESDAY'S SPECIAL BLEND INTERVIEW WITH HOLLEY GERTH ~ 1/26/10 ~
Click here for a peek into Dayspring's Senior Editorial Director at (In)Courage, as I interview Holley Gerth.
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33 Comments

  • Reply Gladwell Musau January 18, 2010 at 8:26 am

    Hi Bonnie. Yes, I can admit that sometimes I am looking out for that sign of God for the reassurance that all is well. But, I have learned that God doesn’t always show up to reassure me in the midst of uncertainty but rather to give me the grace to walk through with or without the desired answer. Talk about Haiti…I guess we will never know the answer why on this side of life. And that goes for so many other issues in our personal lives.

    Blessings,

    Gladwell

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 18, 2010 at 9:34 pm

      “but rather to give me the grace to walk through with or without the desired answer. ” That is the key, there Gladwell. So glad to have your words on today’s post. Thank you for sharing. I am finding I want and need that grace more and more. We all look for those signs.. but experiencing God’s grace more helps us loosen our dependence on them more.

  • Reply bondChristian January 18, 2010 at 8:56 am

    That’s fantastic… the uncertainty never goes away completely. It wouldn’t be faith if it did. The real test is pushing through the uncertainty.

    I actually wrote about this recently on my blog, so it’s a wonderful encouragement to read it somewhere else as well. The body of Christ is working together. Wonderful!

    -Marshall Jones Jr.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 18, 2010 at 9:37 pm

      Which link is it? Please share with us!

      “The real test is pushing *through* the uncertainty.”

      I love that visual. Marshall. We have to apply some pressure against where we’d rather head.

      • Reply bondChristian January 19, 2010 at 9:56 am

        Thank you for replying. The section I mentioned was actually in one of my posts in a series on the Fruit of the Spirit about longsuffering. Thanks for the interest. :>)

        -Marshall Jones Jr.

  • Reply Tweets that mention Peace Is Not Found In Good Fortune, But Trusting Everyday | Faith Barista -- Topsy.com January 18, 2010 at 10:46 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by FaithBarista, FaithBarista. FaithBarista said: New Post — Fortune Cookies: Is Good or Bad Ahead? http://bit.ly/6yle4w Thoughts After Quake of Haiti […]

  • Reply Bridget Chumbley January 18, 2010 at 10:57 am

    So true! We look for comfort and reassurance in the strangest places… thanks for the reminder of where our trust should lie, Bonnie.

  • Reply Matt January 18, 2010 at 11:34 am

    I remember being in college and asking God for a sign whether or not to go to class…if the light turns red I won’t go…it turns green…if I can’t find a spot I wont’ go…there’s a spot. haha. You’re right though. God never guarantees our personal wealth, safety, or security on Earth. He’s there with us through it all, but he wants us to look at the eternal picture instead of the temporary vantage point.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 18, 2010 at 9:29 pm

      So, that means you went to class half the time… I see. Were you one of those guys who I rarely saw in class during the quarter, but then came in to ace the test during midterm and finals? … LOL. Seriously, it’s definitely easier to ask for a sign than the trust by faith. You add a good point – that the eternal picture is very different than the temporary vantage point– and one that we want continue to learn to see.

  • Reply cathleen johnson January 18, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    Bonnie, you wrote:” How can we stay at peace in the midst of uncertainty?”

    The darkest times for me have been when I have kept my eyes on the circumstances and not on Him.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 20, 2010 at 2:27 am

      It’s true. Even then, He will never leave us or forsake us. It’s mindboggling.

  • Reply uberVU - social comments January 18, 2010 at 11:36 pm

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by TheBonnieGray: New Post — Fortune Cookies: Is Good or Bad Ahead? http://bit.ly/6yle4w Thoughts After Quake of Haiti…

  • Reply Russell Holloway January 19, 2010 at 3:53 am

    “He calls us take our focus off the what-ifs and place our trust in who He is.” – Nice, Bonnie …

  • Reply Larry Who January 19, 2010 at 7:43 am

    On good days or bad days, I take comfort in knowing that I was purchased with a price. I am no longer owned by me, but rather, owned by the One who loves me unconditionally and without reservation.

    So, I’m fully persuaded the One who owns me can take care of me.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 20, 2010 at 2:30 am

      It definitely takes faith to trust Him. It’s learning to remember the God of the good days is still with us when we hit the bad days. Thanks for sharing, Larry!

  • Reply Jill January 20, 2010 at 6:15 am

    Bonnie, thank you for your words and the Bible verses above! What a fantastic reminder (especially for a worrier like me!) that in times of anxiety, uncertainty, worry, and fear to ALWAYS turn completely to my Father God and yield everything to Him…to “take our focus off the what-ifs and place our trust in WHO HE IS”!!! That is my goal for 2010…to stop fretting so much about things I can not change…to “let go and let God”…and to trust COMPLETELY in Him. Thank you for this encouragement! It is like God speaking right to me. 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 21, 2010 at 9:33 am

      How exciting! May God bless your goal this 2010 to trust Him, and that you would experience an increasing freedom in Who He Is. Thank you for sharing with me.

  • Reply Kate January 20, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Bonnie-
    Thank you so much for this faith brew. I really can’t tell you what an integral part of my day Faith Barista has become. There is nothing more eye opening that the truth of the gospel. Thank you for serving it each and everyday with love and insight. (Also, thank you for visiting my website and your comment. I really appreciated that!)

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 21, 2010 at 9:35 am

      You have a beautiful blog, Kate, filled with a unique voice that is yours only. May it continue to be a blessing to God and to others you touch.

  • Reply Ralph January 21, 2010 at 4:10 am

    I was born in Haiti and still have many family members there. It has been tough on us as we try to handle this disaster that came out of nowhere. My family back home is shaken. My aunt told me that many people are seeking God for comfort. There is a lot of uncertainty but we are praying for miracles and our hoping that many people find salvation during this time.

    Thanks for sharing

  • Reply Desperation Band: Rescue - No One Is Left Behind | Faith Barista January 22, 2010 at 12:08 am

    […] response to many comments you posted this week to No Peace in Fortune Cookies and Looking For My Real Father, I am closing out the week with a Worship Smoothie — from […]

  • Reply Ginny (MAD21) January 22, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    Finally having a chance to catch up on my favorite blogs. This is terrific, Bonnie. Thanks.

  • Reply Ely Biado January 22, 2010 at 5:33 pm

    Don’t seek for the answer anywhere except;

    2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

    Mat 22:32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

    Mat 10:28 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

    Eccl 12:13-14 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

  • Reply Susan January 26, 2010 at 12:49 am

    He will keep us in perfect peace when our mind is stayed on Him … and not on our circumstances

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 27, 2010 at 2:37 am

      That is my life verse, Susan – since I first believed.

  • Reply Glynn January 26, 2010 at 3:56 am

    You’re absolutely right, Bonnie. When the earthquakes, tsunamis or hurricanes hit, we immediately turn to the familiar to try to make sense of these things, or to the established authorities and demand they “do something.” Where we should start is inside our own hearts.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 27, 2010 at 2:38 am

      “Where we should start is inside our own hearts.” It’s where the journey begins to true peace. Thanks, Glynn.

  • Reply Sarah Salter January 26, 2010 at 9:34 am

    I learned about the earthquake on Facebook from a missionary stationed in the DR before the news even hit CNN. And the news hit me VERY hard… I’ve spent 2 summers in the DR (same island, different country) and have befriended many Haitians there. Plus, I have several missionary friends there (one of whom perished after 55 hours trapped in the rubble). The scripture that God has encouraged me with is from Psalm 9:9-11, which says, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.”

    Praise the LORD that He is still loving and moving and healing in Haiti and around the world! He has not forsaken His children and He is allowing people like you and me to proclaim among the nations (including Haiti) of what He has done!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 27, 2010 at 2:39 am

      It is not everyone who has a direct connection and relationship, so personal with something so tragic. Your words of encouragement and hope speak ever more powerfully.

  • Reply Maureen (Mo) January 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    Thank you for participating today in the Blog Carnival. The wealth of words in all the posts is a gift.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 27, 2010 at 2:39 am

      They are! So amazing – the beauty and richness.

  • Reply Louise January 26, 2010 at 7:33 pm

    Thank you for this blog. And thank you for the questions at the end. Very powerful questions which lead to deep thought and peace within.

    Another blog carnival participant shared … Even so, all is well with my soul.

    In your questions, I find, all is well with my soul.

    thanks!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray January 27, 2010 at 2:40 am

      So wonderful to have you here, Louise! Praise God it is well with you!

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