The circumstances we face and go through can be a good teacher. As believers, we may be asked to do things we don’t feel equipped to do and feel like we are being put in challenging situations.
But…God leads us in many ways while He uses our life to teach us His ways, and when we are open to learning, He will meet us there.
No matter our education, God will teach us as we go through hard times of heartache and pain to strengthen us to have the tenacity and courage to push through to the other side.
I’m not sure what life has been throwing at you, but … in the last few months, I have had plenty of opportunities to learn from the Spirit. I am sure you all have, too. You have your own stories and struggles to share, and we all do. Recently, I have found that experience is an effective teacher with many opportunities to choose God no matter what.
School of hard knocks is a saying I have heard throughout my life. But I have now learned that there is another school you and I are Privileged to be a part of, “the school of the Holy Spirit.” Maybe it’s a mixture of the hard knocks in life and the intervention of the Holy Spirit that we learn. The hard knocks of pain, hurt, and betrayal we sometimes face can challenge us daily. We see the deception and moral decay, fallen leaders, churches struggling, and evil running rampant all around us. These things can make us feel helpless to make positive changes. Despite our relationship with our amazing God, we are human. When circumstances come our way, we have human feelings and emotions, especially if they hit our homes, our families, and those we love.
Peter and John had several struggles, as did Daniel and many others we read about in God’s word! Peter and John were with Jesus much of the time, and they still struggled and faced situations and circumstances almost daily. Daniel inquired of the Lord, read God’s Word daily, prayed fervently, and faced the chance of hazardous circumstances.
In the Old Testament, we see Daniel living a righteous life. Praying even in the face of opposition. He would not bow to the ways of the culture or to the world that went against God and His ways. Daniel prayed day and night. Can you imagine praying day and night and finding yourself in a lion’s den after praying day and night? And the story of Daniel’s friends who ended up in the fiery furnace for following God.
And if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16
Esther had a big choice to make. She fasted, prayed, and was challenged with a huge responsibility to save her people. She risks her own life just like Daniel and his friends in going against the culture and the protocol of King, who was also her husband. The Lord led her to expose a wicked plot. It was dangerous but necessary for the safety of her own life and that of her people. Not even the queen was assured of her life going before the king unannounced, but God…God showed up for Esther with His favor and saved her life.
Daniel, his friends, and Queen Esther were doing God’s will. They all obeyed God with the possibility of death. It took courage for all of them to not bow to their culture and to obey God. I don’t know about you, but after all the praying and seeking God in these circumstances, my human side might have wondered where God was in all this. Would He show up? Did He hear my prayers? Would He save me and my people?
Choosing to live a righteous life, pray, and seek God’s word may lead to situations where one must remain unafraid and steadfast, opting for God, regardless of circumstances. Not being frightened or intimidated takes courage and faith in something one cannot see. To choose God no matter what. Even if God did not show up, it would not make any difference because choosing not to bow is choosing God. He is the one we trust and hold firm to, even if…He is still good!
“I do it because, though he slay me, yet while I wait for, and trust him, and Behold, he will slay me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before him, and even to his face”. Job 13:15
The struggles are real, but so is God, and with Him, we can make it through to the other side. This season has been one that I say consistently, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus.”
Lately, every night, I lift up my open hands to the Lord and give all my struggles to Him and say: here is the day, Lord; You know everything that has happened today and everything that needs to happen. I give all these situations, circumstances, and people to You.
A wise woman once told me if you are holding something in your hand, God can not do anything with it! So when struggles come and circumstances become unbearable, open your hands and let go! And even if…God is still good.
Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart, rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with Him in whatever you do, and He will lead you wherever you go. Proverbs 3:5-6
Prayer: Lord, even if things do not work out as we hoped, may we continue to be fruitful in excellent service and commencement to You. Teach us to have a courageous heart and to desire to obey and follow Your ways. Help us to be determined not to give up and to continue to draw our strength from You.
Thank You for having Your Spirit living inside of us and giving us the potential to live life on earth. Thank You for the example of the great women and men of the bible. Thank You for the helper, teacher, and school of the Holy Spirit. Build character, courage, tenacity, and commitment in us so we can do all things through the power of Your Spirit.