There is a Light

I have been struggling the last couple of days with the news that my uncle, while he is conscious and somewhat aware of what is going on around him, is refusing to eat. I know that he tried to kill himself, so he obviously was done living when he did that...but I was hoping this would be a second chance for him. The fact that he lived through it meant that God had a plan for him still being here...right? I just couldn't believe that God would let him live for a couple of weeks longer, only for my uncle to decide that he doesn't want to live and he's done...again.
But, my ways are not God's ways...me thinking that I could ever comprehend the ways of God is putting God in a box...a Breeann box. I know that God is working through this whole situation, even if it is tough to see at this very moment why things are turning out the way they are.
I have been reading through James, as we are starting a study on James in my Bible study this week, and I was struck by this section, as I am every time I read it:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (vs. 2-4)
Pure joy...how many times do I really look at tough situations and try to muster up the joy I need in my life to get through them? That doesn't mean that I have to be happy and smiling at the time; it means that I am relying on God to get me through and knowing everything in my life that is good comes from Him (see James 1:17). Sure, life is going to be hard and have its rough moments, but that doesn't mean that I turn my back on what I know to be true in this life. And, I don't have to understand everything on my own. If I am leaning on my own understanding, I will never understand. Instead, I need to lean on God (see Proverbs 3:5-6) and seek His wisdom (see James 1:5).
So, while I may not understand why God allowed my uncle to live through this, I know that God works all things together for good (see Romans 8:28). Somehow, some way, God will be glorified in this situation, and someone will be affected for the good. My prayer is that my non-believing family members will turn their hearts to God and learn to trust Him, as they never have before; and that those who do have a relationship with God will be strengthened during this time, not disheartened.