I was enjoying a music video on a popular social media site. At the end of the video, a message flashed on the screen suggesting that if I liked this video, to hit the “Like” button and subscribe. Do social media and other internet sites solely depend upon whether the user will click a like or dislike button to determine whether their shows and content are a success? Definitely not! I have been on sites that I have never used or signed up for and, after being on it for a few minutes, within hours, I am receiving ads from companies that are important advertisers or supporters of that website. Clearly there are many sophisticated software algorithms and programs that are running in the background, analyzing very granular aspects of my behavior. What about God? Does He need my active participation to determine whether I like or dislike something?
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4 (NLT)
God is not an abstract ethereal Being who sits on a heavenly throne and muses, “I wonder if he will like the situation I have placed him in?” God always knows my thoughts and actions, even before I do. Unlike an internet site, God does need me to act so that He will know how to respond. Instead of me asking whether I like or dislike the circumstances I find myself in, I should be asking, “What is God attempting to teach me?”
Like or dislike?
With God, the proper question that He asks me is, “Will you trust and obey?”
Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 