Adversity

“But I want you to know, brethren,

that the things which happened to me

have actually turned out for the

furtherance of the gospel, so that

it has become evidence to the whole

palace guard, and to all the rest, that

my chains are in Christ.”

     Phillipians 1:12-13 (NKJV)

As seen throughout Scripture, God uses adversity to mold our character, purify our hearts and strengthen our faith.  In this passage, we see that God also uses difficult circumstances to further the gospel.  The Apostle Paul desired that he would “find a way in the will of God” to go to Rome (Romans 1:10).  God answered his prayer, although it was in a way that Paul might not have expected—i.e., his “visit” to Rome was as a prisoner. Yet in His infinite wisdom, God knew that through this adversity, Paul would have access to Roman guards and members of Caesar’s household, and as a result, the gospel would be declared and heard.

For a modern example, I think of a dear friend at church. She has major heart blockages (along with other medical conditions) and her doctors recently recommended that she have open heart surgery. After much prayer and godly counsel, she has decided not to have the surgery and instead, to trust that God will care for her to the extent of her days ordained on this earth.  She said the doctors were quite taken aback by her decision since they’re used to having patients follow their advice, but it has given her great opportunities to share her faith and the reasons for her hope and trust in God. They can see the peace she has that passes all earthly understanding despite her chronic pain and harsh prognosis.

Yet how often do we complain of difficulties and pray to have our burdens lessened or removed?  (I can imagine my reaction to having my prayer answered as Paul’s was by being imprisoned!)  But by failing to trust that God knows what He’s doing in our hardships, we miss out on His important work.  It would be better to pray for strength to bear our trials and for grace to shine for God’s glory in the midst of them. 

It’s been said that adversity will either make us better or bitter, so how will you react?  Will you trust God and willingly yield to His grand purposes? Will you view your afflictions as a platform to further the gospel, to provide opportunities to witness and to advance the cause of Christ?

Thursday Devotional - The Gift of Joy and Contentment

How many of us are truly joyfully content? Are you content with your job, your income, your family situation, your home, your car, and even your vacation options???

Over the years, God has helped me to grow in joy and contentment in certain areas. I could celebrate with many of my friends as they got married and started families years before me. Then, after Joe and I married and prayerfully pursued fertility and adoption options for almost a decade, we were still able to enjoy life. It didn’t mean we didn’t have disappointments along the way, but God helped us be more focused on what He had given than on what we didn’t have and wanted.

Solomon describes this joy in life and contentment as a gift from God!

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20     ¹⁸ This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. ¹⁹ Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. ²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Finding contentment and joy in the positions, possessions and people God has given to us is a satisfying gift of God.

Would others say we are a person of discontent or “occupied with gladness of heart?” Where do you and I need to ask God to help us better enjoy what He has given to us?

Alice

The Struggle Continues ...

Who can discern his errors?
       Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;
       may they not rule over me.
       Then will I be blameless,
       innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
       be pleasing in your sight,
       O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:12-14

Temptation is a tough thing to deal with.  We often say that the devil tempts us.  In hearing a sermon from my preacher this past weekend, I am not so certain.  There is a part of me that realizes that I am put in situations where I am tempted to sin.  However, that is neither God's nor the Devil's doing.  I believe that it is a test of faithfulness.  Not one that is created by God.  But instead one that is a constant battle.  It is a battle that never really goes away.  You get better at fighting it off and resisting, but you are never fully over it.  Furthermore, you must be concerned when you actually give in. It’s not the initial failure that gets you.  It’s the continual failure that you suddenly lose the will to fight.  I have been there before.  However once I got back in the fight and prayed, I again got to a place where I had won back my peace and felt connected with God.  But unlike before where I would once say I have overcome it, I substitute it with a phrase I learned from my mom as she fought through the civil rights era; the struggle continues.  This fit because the battle never ends.  You are consistently having to push against that which you struggle to reach.

Prayer and meditation on God are essential in your continual struggles.  We all have something that we struggle with.  Think of one thing that you indulge in or know is wrong but fail on multiple occasions.  You will know what it is when you find yourself in that ‘I promise not to do that again’ place only to find yourself in that ‘Oops, I did it again’ place.  There are a couple of things that are important to remember about your struggles.  One, we all have them.  Yes, some manage it better than others, but that does not mean they do not exist.  You are not alone in your struggle.  Second, we have a patient and amazing God who loves us unconditionally and will guide us IF we call on Him.  Sometimes, my utterance of His name is the added strength for me to overcome my situation.  Some say, “Jesus, take the wheel,” and others might say, “God?  If your listening, I need a little help here.”  Some might clutch a cross or some other item (wedding ring for example) to help remind them of their promises to God.  And before you ask, yes, He will deliver you.

God sees something in everyone.  He decided that there was a place for us in His kingdom, and most importantly, He gave His only Son so that we could fail and still have a chance at His glory.  I think back on the person I once was, and I’m humbled at the man I have become because of the power of God’s grace.  We should have a renewed joy in the people we have become in our renewed belief.  He revealed our faults, and freed us from barriers that once prevented the building of a closer relationship with Him.  So what is it that holds you?  How can you better manage your weakness?  My prayer is that we realize we can be closer to God by acknowledging that no matter how far we get, the struggle continues.  Amen.

Wiser than God?

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
 This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

These verses seem so simple in concept yet are so hard to live.  Think about someone that you trust completely.  When faced with a decision in life, do you go only to that person and follow exactly what they say?  Not likely.  You might go to them and seek advise but you likely balance that advise with what your own gut tells you to do. 

Here we are told to trust in the Lord and to not go off our own gut feeling.  We are told not to think of ourselves as wise rather to fear the Lord and shun evil.

One area in my life that I can see this being applicable is with my search for my next career move (not necessarily out of TR).  I have tried to be wise and go with what I feel is right but God has clearly shut some doors.  I know he has some good reasons so as tough as it has been at times, I am trusting him.  As a result, I stress less over it, which I know is going to bring better health to my body.

What area of your life have you tried to be wiser than God?  Take time today to pray about it and really turn it over to God.