Sister Connie Keyohara blesses us again today with her writings………
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
By responding to trials through the grace of God, you will experience his power which will be manifested in your life through the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22
What I’m hearing a lot lately are the many trials that we face from day-to-day. Whether it be financial, marital, physical illness, jobs, emotional or just the things that life throws at us. Either way, these issues can be serious to those who are enduring them.
However, if you trust God to bring about His purposes through the suffering, you can avoid the trap of anger and depression and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. You can also be confident that God will not allow anything to happen to you without His permission and purpose.
It is also necessary to take a look at your life and ask yourself these questions “Am I doing anything to cause this?” and “how can I change my situation?” These questions are very important because it opens up a dialogue between you and God that allows him to work with you.
Four instance, if it’s a financial issue you can ask yourself : A) am I tithing? B) am I being a good steward of what God has given me and trusted me with? And then we can begin to search our hearts and ask God for direction.
Being on a spiritual path does not prevent you from facing the trials, but it teaches you how to use these trials as a way to grow. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
As a result of our fallen and sinful world that we’re all born into, all we can do is to try to make it through this life without giving up, before we can finally depart to be with the Lord in heaven.
And one of the consequences of being born into this fallen world is that we will all have to deal with the ups and downs and difficulties of life. But the good news is, we have a God that walks alongside us and helps us through our struggles. He said that he would never leave us or abandon us!
Trials also remind us that something better lies ahead for those who believe. In Romans 8:18 Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is coming “
So whether it’s something that God is bringing you through, or it’s a self-inflicted issue our goal is to seek God and know him well.
My prayer for you today is that God would show you which direction to go and to put a hedge of protection around you As you patiently wait.
Keep your head held high,
