Time to once again pour yourself a cup of hot java and join me for a couple of random thoughts which, I hope, will help you in your faith journey with Christ. Even though today is the 17th day of spring, winter continues to refuse to release its grip on us. In fact, if we see more than one inch of snow this spring, we will have had more snow since the first day of spring than all three months of winter put together! I am guessing even snow lovers are beginning to say, "enough is enough!" But we can take heart because we know that July is coming!!!
Just as the four seasons come and go, so do the seasons of life. There are times we find ourselves in seasons where much of life is good ... sometimes very good. Then there are other seasons in which life hurts ... often a lot. Both seasons have their unique challenges when it comes to our relationship with God.
During the tough times, it is very easy to become bitter toward God. "Why am I going through this? So many of my friends have it so easy. Why do I have it so tough?" During these times we must work hard at reminding ourselves of the very clear teaching of God's word when it comes to suffering. According to the Scriptures, suffering is not something to stir up anger in us. Rather we are to rejoice (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5). For it is in our suffering, that God is at work, refining our faith and conforming us to the image of His Son (1 Peter 1:6-7; Romans 8:28-29). So when situations and circumstances arise which cause us pain, we need to remember that it is during these seasons that we are most prone to reach out to grab his helping hand. I know as I look back at my life, times of suffering have also been times of accelerated spiritual growth.
On the flip side, when the good times roll, it is very easy to forget God. Before God's people Israel entered the promised land, God warned them, "When the LORD brings you into the land . . . and you eat and are satisfied, be careful not to forget the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, out of the place of slavery . . ." (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). When we are abundantly reaping the blessings of God's hand, we must remind ourselves of just where we once were before God rescued us. We were dead in our sin and objects of God's wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3). But God in his rich mercy has caused us to be born again into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 2:4-9). We have been blessed spiritually through the gospel, and every other good gift (material, financial, relational, physical, etc.) is also from his hand (James 1:7). We must intentionally preach this truth to ourselves in times of prosperity lest we forget God!
All this said, if you find yourself in a season of suffering right now, be assured you are not alone. God is with you. He is working in you to make you more like Jesus. So TRUST him! And if you are in a season of prosperity then you need to THANK him. Why so? Because all that you enjoy is from him (and that means even the ability you have to work to earn your pay to buy the things you need and enjoy - Deuteronomy 8:17-18).
Thanks for stopping by . . .
pj
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