How do we handle those commands of God that seem unreasonable or too hard?

Children often feel that some of their parents’ requirements are unreasonable. For example, “Don’t play in the street” seems very restrictive to some kids. But in later years, the child will thank the parents for enforcing their rules.

We are “children” in dealing with God. He tells us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. … For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8, 9). Since He can see the end from the beginning, God very much knows the ultimate results of poor choices. He knows all the traps of temptation that could cause us harm. We need to trust our loving heavenly Father in the few areas we might not understand and stop “playing in the street” if that is what He asks of us.

God’s rules are not arbitrary; they are for our benefit, to keep us from doing hurtful things. God wants only to bless us. The Bible says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shieLd. … no Good thinG wiLL he withhoLd from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). When we are truly in love with Jesus, we will give Him the benefit of the doubt and do His will even if we do not always understand why.

The new birth is the key. The Bible says that when I am truly born again, overcoming the world will not be a problem because a converted person will have the faith and trust to happily follow Jesus in everything. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). Choosing to follow Him, even when we are not clear on His reasons, shows that our trust in our Savior is genuine.

Key Bible Texts

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 KJV)