The Miracles We Don't See: Miracles of Omission

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

We often thank God when good things happen, but how often do we thank God when bad things don’t happen? 

Something Good:  We rejoice when someone gives us an ice cream cone.

Something Bad:  We feel bad if we trip and fall down.
Something Doesn’t Happen:  We don’t get into a car wreck or we avoid a situation of which we were not even aware. 

Shouldn’t we rejoice over that, too? 

I know this is a strange concept, because we want to focus on the good in life.  I’m not recommending that we go around life playing hopscotch on the sidewalk, dodging cracks, saying, “Thank you, God, that I didn’t step on that crack!”  That would be counterproductive and a waste of time.  We shouldn’t be so focused on the bad that we’re wiping the sweat off our brow for every near mishap.  That’s actually called fear or anxiety, when we meditate/ruminate on the bad, natural circumstances of our lives rather than God’s promises.

But we should practice being thankful for what doesn’t happen.  Let me explain.  If you’re like me, then sometimes you get your heart set on something and if it doesn’t work out exactly as you’d hoped, you’re disappointed.  Your hope in people diminishes, or the finances don’t seem to come through when you really need it, or you didn’t get that job that you thought you really wanted.  We’ve all been there.  Do you ever look back in retrospect, though, and thank God for the near misses?  Like, what if that job had come through?  I would be so miserable right now!  Instead, God opened the door for my dream job.  What if that relationship hadn’t ended?  I shudder to think.  What if I had gotten that tax return earlier?  Would I have misspent it? 

So many of the ‘obstacles’ in our lives are worth checking in with God about.  I believe it is for us, through scripture, to know what the will of God is for every area of our lives. Ephesians 5:17 says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”  The will of God is revealed through the Word of God.  We know, for example, that God wants us to prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper.  (3 John 1:2).  If there is a promise in God’s word, by all means take it!  We need to stand on the promises of God and take them for our own lives.  All I’m saying is for specific situations in our lives when things don’t seem to be working out, it’s worth inquiring of the Lord.   

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  ~ Proverbs 4:7

For (wisdom’s) profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.  She (wisdom) is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ~Proverbs 3:14-15

Maybe money isn’t your problem, even though it seems like it is.  Maybe you need wisdom.  With that wisdom, you would see that you don’t need to buy that, or go there, or there is another source from which those finances will come.  Maybe you dodged a bullet by not entering into that relationship or getting out of a situation in which you would have been harmed.  Maybe your flight was delayed because, had the plane not received maintenance, it would have crashed with you on it.  All I’m saying is always check in.  Don’t make assumptions about why things are going the way they are.  We have this awesome privilege of being able to know God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Christ we have access to God, 24/7, for eternity.  Not just in Heaven, but right here, right now in this crusty old, broken world in which we live.  Use that connection.  Call on Him and He will answer.  Get wisdom, get understanding for the circumstances in your life you’re scratching your head about today.  It’s available for you now.             

Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing – and that’s a good thing!  Check in, and thank God for the near misses today!