It's Not Supposed to Be Like This
It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This
That phrase is uttered as commentary all over the world as we all live our lives and, too often, experience the difference between what we expected and what we experience. When this happens to us, we reach for an answer; not finding it, we look for an excuse. That doesn’t satisfy us, so we search for an escape. Even as we are saying these words, there is a lie in our ears, that no one else is experiencing something so bad. This lie can be so loud we cannot hear anything else.
I call this a lie for two reasons. First, because it is a lie. Second, because the Bible says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13 New Living Translation) Look at what this verse says, “…no different from what others experience…” Another translation of this passage says, “…so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.” (The Voice translation) That truth combats and contrasts the lie – no one else is going through something like this. You can make it through.
Let’s look together at 3 people who were found themselves in the place to say, “It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This”.
Mary
The angel said, “… you have found favor with God!” and that she would bear a son, Emmanuel. Then she visits Elizabeth and receives a prophetic word about her son. (Luke 1:28-33, 42 New Living Translation) Then Joseph found out she is pregnant, and Joseph wanted to put her away. An angel appeared to Joseph (Luke 1:26-38). However, the angel didn’t appear to his family. What words were spoken behind her back?
Just before she was ready to give birth, an order came down from the government that they have to go to Bethlehem, which was 97 miles away. Imagine a young couple – teens really, traveling for more than a week … and one of them is pregnant! When they finally arrived, labor pains are beginning but there is no place for them. How much tension and stress could they have been experiencing? Then at birth, she swaddled baby Jesus for the first time in a stable and her son’s first crib was an animal trough. It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This!
Peter
Peter left what he knew, what he had always counted on, his business as a fisherman to follow Jesus. Peter received the revelation from God that Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 16:18). He saw, Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus (Luke 9:28-36). Jesus rebuked Peter as He was foretelling the coming betrayal and sacrifice (Matthew 16:23). Peter swore that he would die with Jesus, then he swore he didn’t know Him (John 18:13-27). Then he saw the One he believed in judged and executed like a criminal. It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This!
satan
Beginning with Cain, satan tried to kill – working to defeat God’s promise that One was coming to crush him (Genesis 3:15). Luke 22:3 says that satan entered the heart of Judas Iscariot. As Jesus past through the mocking and false trial, it’s clear satan is the orchestra conductor. 1 Corinthians 2:8 says, it was the god of this world, satan, that crucified Jesus. What a triumph it must have been – satan thinking that he had won, he had killed God’s Word. It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way.
But, He arose.
Mary could have said, and probably did, It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This! She imagined it differently. It wasn’t easy to travel 100 miles by donkey while pregnant. But look at this from a different way. It was God’s plan that Jesus is born in Bethlehem. So, God gave Mary and Joseph a Word, and that Word kept them through the tough time.
No matter how far outside the plan of God you may be right now, the Message of God’s Word will keep you through the toughest time. Just don’t quit, keep moving forward.
Peter could have said, and probably did, It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This! We know the disciples thought about the reign of Jesus. When He spoke of Kingdom, they imagined office and authority like they saw the chief priests and the Roman governors wield. Seeing the One that made the miraculous routine, condemned and killed shook Peter’s identity. He denied even knowing Jesus. Peter’s world was turned upside down, and he went back to fishing. But that’s not the way Peter’s story ends. Jesus restored him, and Peter went on to preach that Jesus was alive for the rest of his life.
No matter what you do when it’s bad, that is not the end. God’s plan for us is bigger and greater than our sin – even the One we think is too great to be forgiven. Jesus took Peter from denying he knew Him, to proclaim the resurrection all over the known world. Why? Because, God said, “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way.”
“It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way!” That must have been the cry of all creation when the Earth shook, and the sun turned dark at the crucifixion of the creator. Among the damned, however, I wonder what was said. I wonder if in ignorance, there was rejoicing, or if the fear that rules over darkness worsened. Death and hell had One they had no right to hold. They must have known. Perhaps, death dared to whisper, “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” as it took hold on the Prince of Life.
But it was that fearful shriek – satan’s reaction, as again, the One to Whom nothing is impossible, got up from death. “It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way” became satan’s moan as Jesus, “…made an open show…triumphing over…” (Colossians 2:15) all that the devil thought he ruled.
No matter what you are going through, how hard it is, what you have done, or what it seems the devil has done, say this, “It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This”. Turn that plea of complaint into a bold confession of faith. Just like Mary had a Word in her heart that got them through the rough journey, put God’s promises in your eyes and ears until they take up a place in your heart.
Maybe in the midst of trouble, like Peter, you have been shaken and turned back from Jesus and God’s plan for your life. “It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This.” You can turn around just like Peter – and go from coward to bold in pursuit of God’s best. Just don’t quit.
Perhaps the devil has been able to kill, steal, and destroy in your life. “It’s Not Supposed to Be Like This.” The devil doesn’t get the last word. Jesus said, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end…” Don’t let satan take that place – Jesus is the only One that is to be the Omega. It doesn’t matter how dark and final it seems today. Jesus can make satan’s greatest victory turn to your deliverance.
Keep Moving Forward.
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