A number of years ago, before God humbled me (which I needed), I would have looked at someone going through a difficult time and wonder what they’d done to deserve it. I wasn’t insensitive enough to say it, at least to someone’s face, but I would have thought it.

The Christian life was formulaic for me. I do my part. God does His part. That’s how it works. At least that’s what I thought.

I was wrong. And arrogant.

In His love and kindness, God allowed me to experience failure. Failure led to pain and confusion. My belief system was turned upside down. My formulas were blown up.

I learned that sometimes bad stuff just happens. Good ideas don’t always work. You can pray and trust and wait all you want…but things won’t always turn out how you’d like.

That being said, sometimes we do get ourselves into a mess. Sometimes it is our fault–in part or in whole.

Of course, rarely do we intend on making bad choices. We don’t intend to make a bad investment. We don’t intend to marry a liar. We don’t intend to buy a house with a weak foundation. It happens though and there’s really no one to point a finger at. At some point, we’ve just got to say we’re responsible for the mess we’re in.

Today, whether you find yourself in a situation through no fault of your own or one you created–there’s good news. Really good news. It’s found in Psalm 107. The psalmist gives us a glimpse into people in various situation, how they responded and what God did for them.

Some people wandered in deserts. They were hungry, thirsty and their lives were slipping away. They cried out to the Lord and He delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

Some, because of their rebellious ways, found themselves in darkness and gloom as prisoners. They had rebelled against God’s word and counsel, so He subjected them to bitter labor. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of their gloom and broke away their chains.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their actions. They cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them.

Others went out in ships (just going to work, I suppose) and encountered fierce storms and their courage melted away. They cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved them out of their distress. Then He guided them to their desired haven.

What I love is that no matter what the situation, they always called out to God in their distress.

Our bad circumstances might be our own doing, someone else’s doing or just the result of living in a fallen world, but we can also call out to God. Always. No matter what.

I wish I could say that everything will always turn out just the way we want, when we want, but we all know that’s not how things work. There are consequences. Waiting is still often required. But know this…what we really need is Someone to trust in our distress more than we simply need deliverance from our distress.

If you read the Psalm, you’ll also notice that in every situation, the psalmist concludes with, “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.”

Now might be a good time to pause and give Him thanks. Even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you’re still in the midst of your distress. God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten. He knows what you need and when you need it. Choose to trust Him and give Him thanks.

Finally, the last verse is a significant one:

“Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord.” Psalm 107:43