Challenged by God: You Can’t Pick and Choose Your Blessings or Trials

By Ruth Hendrickson Mar 5, 2021

Do you ever feel challenged by God? There are moments when God creatively gets my attention because He wants to challenge a behavioral or thought pattern.

The other day, I was going about my business, and the old Burger King jingle began playing in my head. You know, “Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce …” It quickly became the never-ending song as it went round and round. When God pushes the play button, it is near impossible to push the stop button! Finally, I realized that the right response would be to ask Him what He wanted me to know.

I love God’s sense of humor, but things quickly got serious as we entered into conversation. God began to share that many of His people were self-styling their relationship with Him and picking and choosing which Scriptures they wanted to accept and which ones they didn’t. He is not a God who wants us to have it our way because He knows that our methods lead to destruction. He is a God who wants us to have it His way because His way will always lead to life.

As only God can do, He also brought this to my very doorstep. He began to speak to me about areas where I have remained quiet rather than speaking up for His kingdom. That part of the conversation undoubtedly ushered in a time of repentance.

We cannot afford to have a relationship with God where we are asking Him to hold the pickles and hold the lettuce because we don’t like them. As I was talking to God, I realized that the banqueting table He sets before us, in the presence of our enemies (see Ps. 23:5), is not only abundant but contains the fullness of everything He has to offer. When we try to pick and choose, we move further away from Him and the destiny that He has for us.

Ready for the rest of the story? Listen to Real Truth with Ruth as we talk about holding those pickles! {eoa}

Ruth Hendrickson is an ordained pastor, itinerant speaker, ministry trainer and board-certified biblical counselor who has extensive experience in the development, training and oversight of emotional healing ministry teams, recovery ministries, prophetic ministry, prayer ministries and women’s ministry. In addition, she is a course facilitator for Patricia King Institute and Charisma courses. She writes for Elijah List and Charisma and has a podcast titled Real Truth with Ruth. Through biblically based teachings and practical applications infused with love and laughter, her goal is to introduce people not only to the living God who saves but also to the God who desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Her latest book, Everyday Prophetic, will help you find the prophetic voice that God has given you. Visit her at her website at ruthhendrickson.org or find her on Facebook and listen to her podcast Real Truth with Ruth.