The late Dwight Eisenhower, a five-star general and the 34th president of the United States, was once asked who he believed to be the greatest man he’d ever met. He replied in a snap:
“It wasn’t a man. It was a woman – my mother. She had little schooling, but her educated mind, her wisdom, came from a lifelong study of the Bible. One night we were playing a card game, mother, my brothers and I. It was Flinch. Hands were dealt and I drew a bad one. I began to complain.”
He continued:
” ‘Put your cards down, boys,’ Mother said. ‘Dwight, this is just a friendly game in your home where you are loved. But out in the world where there isn’t so much love, you will be dealt many a bad hand. So you’ve got to learn to take the hands life deals you without complaining. Just play them out.’ ”
Have you been dealt a tough hand today? Are you tempted to fold or gripe about your difficulties and troubled lot?
Remember that wherever you are, the Lord is right there with you. Instead of lamenting your circumstance or complaining to God, I have a suggestion. It’s natural for us to ask of Him, “Why me?” when the tough times come. But perhaps you can ask the Lord a far more productive and probing question:
“What is it that you’re wanting me to learn from this situation?”
Life is never perfect, but God’s plan is. Play the hand our Lord has dealt you. And if we can ever help, I hope you’ll contact us here at Focus on the Family. Our phone number is 1-800-232-6459.
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