"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4
From personal experience, I can testify that being a Christian is tough at times and is very easy at other times. In the tough times, you wonder if you will ever make it through the test of life and faith being put on you or around you. I have found myself literally fighting demons in my sleep only to wake up with sore ribs or pain in every extremity of my body. Yes, I know there is a medical explanation for most of what goes on with the body. I am quite convinced as of June 2024, that when my body was feeling like a train wreck victim and doctors could not come up with any explanation...that my friend is caused by demonic forces sent to test or kill me. I really don't care how crazy and out of any realm of reality it may seem, but spiritual battles sometimes ooze beyond the spiritual into the physical.
Just when you thought all those test in high school was really tough, here comes God setting up a test of faith for you and your new Christianity. I didn't have problems learning the curriculum of my classes in school, it was the test I had the problems with. I would freeze up, have brain farts and forget how to work my hands to write anything down. After taking several deep breaths and saying a "God help me" prayer and managed to get a pretty good grade on the test (4.0GPA! )
So why do we as Christians make such a big deal when God test us? I mean think of poor Job, that man lost his family, got big ole sores all over his body, had the whole town telling him to just cuss God out and die. Even though Job was all messed up, when he was in the valley of his deepest darkest time, God saw him and was watching closely. Job held his faith with God and was restored. Job knew that no matter what problem or pain was coming his way, all he had to do was HOLD onto God and God would see him through. Here is a sample from the Book of Job if you don't believe me.
"One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan also showed up. God singled out Satan, saying, “And what have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Oh, going here and there, checking things out.” Then God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him, is there—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil? He still has a firm grip on his integrity! You tried to trick me into destroying him, but it didn’t work.” Job 2:1-3
Even the Israelites had problems, they spent 40 years in the desert running around in circles and complained about EVERYTHING! God tolerated their complaining, punished them like a child when they needed it, and even killed off an entire generation before He allowed them to receive the promised land. Even after all of that, they still complained and God still loves and protects them. God saw them through the tough times, even currently and they are still God's favored people. I personally believe the Gentiles hold a close tie with the Israelites during all this craziness going on now in the world. In God's eyes we are all His people called by HIS NAME!
God makes the mountain top aka the easy time for healing, rest, restoration of body and soul and when needed, restoration of material necessities (houses, land, etc.). God is the great physician and is worth everything good and bad that we are currently sitting in. All we have to do is Hold on and don't lose faith.
God is looking out for all of His people, in times of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and whatever disaster you can think of. God LOVES us THAT much. Even through the pain of loss of the one or many....God is there face to face for the ones taken to heaven AND He is there for the ones left behind to deal with the loss...hold them tightly in a God hug. Nothing that we go through is too tough that Jesus isn't there to take that burden and help you through the valley of despair.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 28-30
God Almighty, King of my Universe, I thank you and praise you for being right here with me and others as we sometimes have to crawl on hands and knees to remember that YOU have been through the worst of it all and love us Unconditionally and Eternally. I ask that you be with the ones going through the hard times and remind us all that you are just a simple plea of help away. You are so Good God, and I personally thank you for my test of faith. Remind others and myself, that the rough times are just a test and there is such a relief and peace when the trials are over. Father, thank you for what you have done and what you will do. I praise you in the rain, In Jesus Precious Name, Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment