By Benescke Janse van Rensburg

A few weeks ago it was extremely hot in Cape Town. When I saw at about 16:00 that it was still deep in the 30 degrees Celsius, I decided to take my 14 month old daughter, Joalé, who loves swimming, for a surprise visit to a nearby swimming pool.

Everything went according to plan - until 2km from the pool. Suddenly, the discomfort of the car seat and the heat became overwhelming to Joalé. She started crying and no comforting words or promises of something wonderful on its way could stop the tears. She wanted out – and now! At one stage I almost decided to turn back home.

Seeing the pool, Joalé's tears immediately disappeared as a broad smile and clapping hands took its place. The temporary discomfort in the car suddenly made sense and was even worth it as she realized what it all was about.

There, next to the pool, it struck me that we also from time to time react in the same way, when we experience seasons of discomfort in our lives. Instead of trusting God to be in control and working behind the scenes, we start whining and complaining.

The Israelites did this in the wilderness. God was leading them to the Promised Land. He demonstrated His power and ability through various miracles. Still, they became dissatisfied with the temporary inconvenience. This led to murmuring and complaining. It clouded their perspective and, in the end, caused a whole generation to never enter the Promise Land.

In Psalm 30:11-12 the Psalmist writes: “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

The greatest temptation during uncomfortable seasons in our lives, is to start questioning God. We then start to whine and complain. The truth however is that God knows the future. He has plans for us to prosper and not to harm us and He already took out clothes of joy to replace the clothes of mourning. Let's therefore sing to his glory as we thank Him for the uncomfortable seasons in our lives. The swimming pool and Promised Land perhaps are just around the corner. God bless.

Father God, thank you for being in control of my life. Help me not to be discouraged during temporary uncomfortable seasons, but rather to stay grateful with the knowledge that You know my future. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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