Enduring Hard Times

My Utmost For His Highest

[…] our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings.  Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Are we prepared to let God do what He wants with us? Are we prepared to be separated from the outward, evident blessings of God? Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. And God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been interested only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. CHAMBERS

That is not something that we want to admit to.  At least when I read it, I thought, ‘That’s not me!’  The life of faith we have been called to is much more than what is happening to us relationally or physically.  As we live by faith, (Romans 1:17, Galatians 2:20), it is our faith that guides us not our circumstances.  We want a life with no stress, no disappointment, no loss, no sickness … But these experiences are part of being in the world … It is a lie to say that if you live right .. a life of faith, that you won’t have any problems, just the blessings (read positive experiences) The biggest blessing (after Salvation) is that God gives us the strength to endure whatever life brings. ‘These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

God does not save us from things, He saves us through them.  Our willingness to endure by the power of our faith is a testimony to the world .. a world that has no option but to suffer under the pressure of their circumstances.  If I say “Daniel” you think of the lion’s den. (Daniel 6)  If I say ‘fiery furnace’ you think “three men who refused to bow down” (Daniel 3) If I say “Job” you think persevering in trouble (Job 1) These men demonstrated faith in the midst of their difficult circumstances … They kept their focus on God and placed their trust fully on Him even when things around them seemed to be falling apart … The same faith in God that they had is yours.  Where can you find faith like that?  In Jesus!  He has overcome for us .. ‘my hope is built on nothing less than JESUS and His righteousness’.  Faith is not something you can know about and then call upon when you are in trouble. The strength of your faith is a result of a relationship.  The depth of our faith is a result of the depth of our relationship with God.  Those who ask ‘Where was God when I needed Him’ are the same ones who don’t have time for Him when times are good. 

Please don’t interpret this as criticism.  I just want you  to remember that God has made provision for you.  That you will have trouble in your life, but God will give you the strength you need to get through it .. and He will be glorified in that process … It is amazing .. well, it is super – natural … makes no sense to people who don’t know Jesus .. but they see it and wonder.  Your life in the midst of difficulty is a testimony to a world that is without hope.  Draw close to Jesus and let your light shine bright.

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)