The Bonus Room

Homes are often designed and built to include a “bonus room”. What exactly is a bonus room? Why is it called a “bonus room”? According to Wikipedia, a bonus room is a room created by remodeling or adding an addition that does not meet local building code definitions for traditional rooms. For example, codes will typically require that a bedroom have a closet, a window, and a certain number of electrical outlets. Ok now that we know what it is by general definition you may ask why am I even elaborating on this topic? I am glad you ask ….

I currently have a bonus room in my home that I set up as an additional bedroom. I have designated the room as my prayer room/guest bedroom. I usually visit the room on a daily basis. A couple of days ago, I had a thought about “what if my life” could be as tidy and predictable as my bonus room? I have it decorated to my taste, nothing is ever out of place, and I know what to expect each time I enter. It does not take faith to enter because I know what is there already? Why couldn’t our lives resemble a perfectly set aside bonus room? Is that even a rational thought to ponder? How realistic is it to think we can actually set in order the events of our lives? It is very unrealistic, but we often get upset if our nicely predictable life gets shaken up or changed. When in reality we have no control over what occurs BUT we do have control over our responses.

I can recall the tirelessly days that turn into years that I spent attempting to make all the right decisions so I could get the preferred outcome in my life. I guess you know what I found out it. My “bonus room” attempts did not yield me the results I was wanting. Actually, the results were so far from what I wanted or expected. The emotional pain I encountered felt unbearable at time from my disappointments. I questioned everything in my life, compared my life events to others and I came up empty.

Finally, I surrendered my plans and predictions and begin to trust in the sovereignty or the supreme authority of the God I accepted in 1985. I truly learned the meaning of God’s sovereignty in 2014 when a close family member transition to heaven. I also learned that I did not need to build “bonus rooms” in my life but I could trust God with the outcome in every circumstance. As I write this, I am thinking of some areas currently that I wish I could predict the outcome but I know it is in God’s hand.

What about you? Have you had some “bonus room moments”? Have you experienced some times that you wished for nothing to be out of place or no unexpected events to occur, and you didn’t have to exercise faith? You probably discovered it wasn’t possible too. However, we can enter into God’s rest by believing His promises such as:

• Phil 1:6- He who begin a good work will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus
• Isaiah 54:17- No weapon formed against you will prosper and every tongue that rises against you He will condemn.
• Psalm 32:8- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.

Can we accept that “bonus room” expectations only happen in the movies or our dreams? Also, can we accept that God has a good plan for our lives that will include trials and tribulations?

Furthermore, can we accept the fact that emotional pain is apart of living in this fallen world? Nevertheless, we may not have “bonus room” moments in our lives but we do have the strength to get up and not give up when life gets messy.

Be encourage and remember “nothing last forever” and God will give us “beauty for ashes” if we don’t faint or give up!

Best regards,

Dr. G