Tag Archives: trials

Questioning Trials That Come Our Way

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I actually wrote this post before I had a friend go into the hospital a few days ago, but it could apply to both of my friends.

Really Lord? Why her again? These are questions that have been swirling around my mind since I found out a sweet friend is going through yet another trial. Part of me wants to ask why while the other side reminds me that every Wednesday night I have been teaching my own bible study class that if you fear God then you have nothing in life to fear. I can not begin to tell you how REAL God is making those words to me in my life.

So how do I look my friend in the face knowing she has already tackled many health issues and say “If you fear God, there is nothing in life you need to fear……no matter what comes”

Despite me wondering why she is faced with yet another trial there are things I do know:

    1. God breaks through our fear, and reminds us that he is in control and will sustain us.
    2. Psalms 34:4-9 states: Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!. If we place our fear in God above everything we will have “no lack.”
    3. God uses our trials or hardships to bring Him Glory.

This was brought home to me when I read and reviewed Kimberly Woodhouse’s book Welcome Home. If anyone had a reason to question “why” it would be Kimberly and her husband. Life continually knocked her down, it would almost be comical if it were not so painful. After I finished this book and closed the last page, I said “why Lord?” WHY?

And he whispered to me: Look at their life, look how beautifully they displayed MY GLORY for all to see and for others to be changed.

Whatever may come for my friend (and I am praying it will be something easily solved) I do know her well enough to know she loves God with all her heart. She recently commented that while dealing with a past trial, how amazed she was that so many people were around and provided for her and her family’s needs. Well it hit me today maybe the Lord wanted all these people around her because he was so proud of how in her weakness God’s glory was able to shine through and change others. And yes it did change others!

Even if the tears fall and we are left bewildered (asking, wondering, yes some times questioning) what the Lord has in mind, I still believe:

If you fear God, there is nothing in life you need to fear……no matter what comes.

(this may be a post I may need to read and re-read as trials come)

I’m In a Pickle Now What

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When life becomes difficult and the waves of life are crashing around us, our first response is “why me?”  What is God doing?

Acts 27:14 says “ …before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the “northeaster,” swept down from the island….”

Here in  Florida,  I know first hand what those hurricane forces can feel like and the devastation they can leave. But what I am talking about is what if there comes a “northeaster” in your life that is approaching and it looks like it is going to take you with it.

Some questions you may ask is What is the cause of this storm? and What is God trying to teach me?

1. Storms can come into our life because of our sin.

Psalms 32:3 “When I kept silent my bones wasted away through groaning all day”. This verse tells us if there is something in your life you have not repented, this can bring a storm in your life where God is trying to get your attention.

Act 9:5&6 Saul asks “Who are you Lord?” or, What do you want me to do? What do you want from me?

When storms head your way, spend sometime in prayer asking God is there is sin standing in the way between you and him.  Repent any sin.

2. Storms can come to us because he is Savior.

What does God want to do with our lives?
Isa 1:17 says “learn to do good and to do what is right”.
Sometimes God needs to show us what we can do (basically what we are made of), so we can then move to where he can use you.

I know personally there are things I have gone through in my life (pre-mature baby, financial hardships, etc…) that if someone would have told me before hand about these trials, I would have said “I could never survive that….” God knew what I was made of before I did and He has used me to minister to others; given me a boldness to speak his word. I have found that God is faithful, He is good, and He is there. But if I did not go through the storm, how would I have known, through Christ, I could make it? How could I encourage others that they too will make it?

It is here God can use some of our sin, after repentance, to further his gospel.

3. Storms can come to us because of relationships.

You can find yourself in the middle of a storm, but it may have nothing to do with you. God could be working on someone around you. Think about the fishermen that were in the same boat as Jonah. They were going through the hard storms with Jonah, but this had nothing to do with them. Joshua and Caleb still had to wait to enter the promise land, but the waiting had nothing to do with them. So what are you to do in that situation?

Heb 3:13 says “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today….”

If you are in the middle of a storm, but you know it has nothing to do with you, be an encouragement. Help the person going through the storm.  God has placed you there to pray for the other person.

This does not answer all our “why’s” but it gives us a direction when we are in the storms of life.  There are some things we may never know.  We do live in a fallen world and people have diseases, babies don’t live, and loved ones are taken from us suddenly.

Whenever the storms hit, God has a reason, God has a purpose and sometimes during those difficult times all we have to hang on to is our faith and God’s truth.

originally posted August 6, 2006

There is Nothing Joyful About Trials

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ExamAlmost all the trials we face can be narrowed down into three different categories. I will be sharing each of these three categories in the next few weeks.

    Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1, ESV)

I don’t know about you but anything with the word “test,” I instantly know I am not going to enjoy it. But as I tell my children, they have tests in school so teachers can monitor if you are learning what they are teaching. Without tests, we do not have any guideposts for your development. Tests prove you are growing and give you confidence in areas you have developed in.

On the flip side, tests also show us what we need to work on. In school if the teacher gives you a test and you don’t score well, you need to go back and study the items you missed before you could move forward. Much of what we learn builds on top of each other.

Our Christian walk is very similar.

Trials we face show us where we have grown and developed, and points to areas we need more work.

Unfortunately we serve a God that gives pop tests. We don’t know the when, where, or how a test will be given, but the good news is he allows open book tests.

These tests teach us to persevere, what equipment we need, and develops us as a Christian. To help each one of us, I will share with you three different categories all tests fall into. Since we have an open book test on all trials, it is best to prepare ourselves for when one comes our way. Come back for the first category……

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