John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
There have been so many times in my life where bad things have happened to God's people and I'm left wondering what God is up to and what He is thinking. When we see those we love suffer or even when we have to suffer ourselves we become perplexed and begin searching for answers. Thankfully, God always comes along to remind me that I need to trust Him, that He has allowed it. He has a perfect plan and He has everything under control. It's not always easy to rest in that truth but as I do, He has revealed so much to me.
Sometimes He allows things to happen to God's people to test their faith, to give them an assurance that their faith is a saving faith, that it is relevant and real. When we are forced to turn our troubles over to God He allows us to see what we are made of and where our strength comes from. He also uses this time to wean us from the world and focus our eyes on Him. When our eyes are focused on the world and it's ways it can blind us from God's Truth and His purposes for us.
God knows that suffering brings with it a preoccupation with the future where heaven awaits. If life gets so good here on earth, why in the world would we want to go anywhere else. It is a confident hope that attaches us to heaven which is the promised destination of our eternity. Romans 5:3-5 tells us, " Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Trials reveal what we love most and where our security lies. If we love money and position and then lose our job we will be thrust into a whirlwind of despondency; however, if God is our first love then we can roll with the punches confidently knowing that He has a purpose for it all and will see us through to the other side. These trying times also teach us obedience. When we trust in the Lord, we can rest in the fact that He is using these struggles to perfect us and transform us. He desires us to share in His holiness and righteousness and what better way than to refine us but in a battle. Trials in life are not meant to make us fail but to see how far we can fly!
Finally, I believe that He uses these times to strengthen us for greater usefulness so that when the time comes, we can help others in their afflictions. It is definitely not fun or easy to be tried and tested but my friend, I promise you that in all things God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He is all powerful. He is all knowing and He has already seen how we will come out on the other side. He trusts us or He wouldn't attempt to refine us through the fires of life. "Trials and Tribulations tend to squeeze the artificiality out of us, leaving the essence of what we really are and clarifying what we really yearn for." by Neal A. Maxwell
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Personalize this prayer.
Dear Lord,
I'm confessing before You today that life is hard. Sometimes it seems like I live from one struggle to the next without being able to breath or getting any respite. Without You this would all be meaningless but I know that in all things You have a detailed plan and a specific purpose for me. Please give me Your peace that passes all understanding when I approach life's challenges and help me to face them head on with confidence knowing You've got it all under control. Equip me when You send me into battle with all I will need to persevere and bring people along side of me to hold up my hands when the going gets tough. I trust You in all things and am resting in the confidence of Your faithfulness.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
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