As a new believer one of the things I struggled greatly with was the idea of affliction, the idea that God would place me in a test, a trial, even a season of pain. After all He is Lord of all, and He loves me right? Yes, enough to die for me, to even take my place on the cross. So, it didn't add up to me why sometimes it seemed like my prayers were bouncing off heaven's walls, why I had people leave, so called friends betray me, and my world turn upside down. What I didn't realize during those seasons was that I wasn't so much afraid of the trials, and tests but I was more concerned with being uncomfortable, placed outside my comfort zone, and having to walk outside the orderly lines of the cookie cutter life I had designed for myself in my mind. But how can God truly love us and leave us as we are? You see, He sees me not just as I am now, but He sees the me He created me to be, He sees my possibility. James 1:4 says "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. " Perseverance is defined as steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. So my friend this year let's persevere in the upward call of Jesus Christ, despite delays, in spite of difficulties, knowing that the One who calls you is faithful, and will complete the work He has began in you.
Sometimes the things you don’t see coming in life can blindside you the most: such as a family member being diagnosed with one of those scary words, that somewhere in the back of your mind you thought was reserved for TV medical dramas. I’ve learned that God is so much bigger than any fear that may try to creep into our heart. We’re human: flesh, and blood, God remembers our frame that we are dust...but He is eternal, our God who gives strength to the weak, and power to the powerless. I remember at what felt like my most hopeless moment, in a pit of disbelief at what was happening around me, and feeling so utterly alone, suddenly I could feel God’s Presence, palpably...it felt like I was surrounded totally, in His arms. The angst, and worry flew away, and I was completely at peace, and felt I could get through the rest of the day. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and is available to give us this comfort if we will come to Him. We don’t have to have it all together. Perhaps in your momen...
Comments
Post a Comment