I have just finished reading an article by Joyce Meyer that has given me a lot to think about. John 16:33 it says, "In the world you have tribulation and trials"............reading the rest of the verse you get to the best part where Jesus says, He has overcome the world!!
Sometimes God allows or even arranges for us to go through difficult times in this life because it's during those times that we grow in our faith and develop more of the character of Christ. Trials reveal what we really believe and what's really inside our hearts. They test us.
As I have walked through some tough trials I had a choice to make in every single one. Did I want to feel joyful as it says in James 1:2, "we should consider it wholly joyful when we experience a trial or face a temptation?" Verse 3 goes on to say that "the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience."
Do you all remember being told NOT to pray for patience? I still have my training wheels on with that one!! LOL!!! BUT........my mind is recalling a saying......."when the going gets tough......the tough get going!!" Now that spells steadfastness to me, which is a friend of patience!! I don't have to like it. I just have to do it. Without the whining is always good!
I continue to be a work in progress........yes, I am progressing!! To have more of the character of Christ takes lots of practice. Some repeat testing is also normal so quitting is not an option, because the outcome will not be pretty!! Temptations will visit us during our journey, so how do we pass our tests? Here are some temptations that can come along where Joyce offers some great defense plans:
1. We can be tempted to go back to an old habit or addiction, even though we've been set free. If we submit ourselves to God, humble ourselves before Him He will give you the strength to resist the temptation.
2. We can be tempted to be angry with God and resent people who don't have the same problems we have or who have things we want. When tempted, set your minds to praise Him instead and thank Him for His goodness in our lives.
3. Trials can tempt us to become indignant and say things like, "Why is this happening to me? I don't understand?!" instead of wondering why and feeling sorry for ourselves, we need to say, "Don't panic...this is only a test!" Because the truth is, this too will pass and we'll get through it with more peace and stability if we trust God.
4. We can also be tempted to take matters into our own hands. If you've ever thought, "I'm not going to put up with this any more! I'm going to do something about this!" When we take matters into our own hands, we delay or miss the blessing that God wants to give us. Instead, we need to trust God and wait on Him to work things out.
Walking through the days after the tragedy of losing our daughter Bethany at the age of 8 and all that followed was harder then anything I've ever gone through. I went through yelling and being mad at God to coming right back to Him asking His forgiveness. As I voiced my anger and I heard my words I realized right away just where I would be without God in my life.
I realized that I don't have to "understand" the whys.........I just have to "Trust In God......" This was my time of testing of my faith and belief for me. If what I believe is true then I need to walk in what I believe......."But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste........" I Corinthians 15:10 (Message Bible)
Walking by Faith...............Deb
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