Acts 14:22 KJV
It's not smooth sailing, but it's in endurance of storms, trials, and tribulation that we are perfected for entry into the kingdom of God! Each a lesson in itself; it's length dependent on how quickly we learn. The natural man cannot endure the pain and frequency of the trials without giving up! It's through our realization of our inability to endure, that we turn to God. It's the lack of that realization, and our pride, our determination to go it alone (be strong, hang on) that keeps the storms coming, each increasing in intensity!
We do not know what the future holds for a reason! For if we knew, we would most likely give up immediately! I know looking back on my life, if I had know all, in advance, I surely would not have made it. However, now, because I see the hand of God molding me in the midst of those circumstances, I can give Him the glory! Only He got me through and held me up!
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2-4 KJV
You can't "count it all joy" if you are looking at your circumstances! You HAVE to keep your eyes on Jesus! If your focus is on Him, then He is standing between you and your trials!
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
There is absolutely nothing YOU can do to change the storm, but you can rest, knowing that HE is in control!
Like the children of Israel, the length and duration of our trials are determined by our choice of "grumbling and complaining" or "counting it all joy"! Those are the two choices! The former stretches it out; the latter, shows a lesson learned! The former involves torment, because it is sin and the devil gets to have his way! The latter is obedience to God and He protects you and cuts the test short, because it shows the "lesson learned" and a passing score! Oh, passing your test feels sooooooo good! You can feel the Father's approval shinning on you! It just "warms the cockles of your soul!" (Google it!)
I'm so glad that He is God! I gave up control and decided to let Him have that role in my life, considering He makes all things good! I messed up everything and He had to "fix it", so I finally figured out it would just be better to let Him do "it" from the start! So much better!
Of course, letting Him do it requires a relationship with Him! If you do not know my Savior, just introduce yourself! He's right there waiting for you to make the first move! Admitting you need to be saved from your sins and repentance (turning around from the direction you are headed) is the first step! You do that and He will change your heart! He will open your eyes to see everything in a new light! He will give you new life! Oh it is so worth the risk!
“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV
At the end of our lives we will know the "whys"! Be content now just to know that He knows!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 9/30/14
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