Silver Linings

Recently I was communicating with a friend who's entering a season of intense physical treatment.  I remembered something about the difficult seasons I've walked through.  I certainly don't like them - I wouldn't make a choice to go through them - and I find them very hard.  But there's a "silver lining."  Because I walk through them holding tight to the Lord's hand, there have been precious lessons learned that I wouldn't have learned in any other way.

Maybe it's as we participate in the "fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10) that we can draw close to Him in a special way.  The intimacy with Him, the abundant grace He grants us, and the precious encouragement of His Spirit are unique in the time of trials.  I can look back at sweet gifts He's brought into my life in the difficult seasons.  I relish the closeness of His Spirit during those times.  I feel I grew to deeper levels in my walk with Him.  I couldn't make it on my own, so I had to press in and trust Him in fresh ways.

When I face fresh challenges, it's helpful for me to stop and remember all this!  It gives me strength and courage to face the new overwhelming situation.  He waits to help me, strengthen me, and walk with me on the new road.  He is so faithful!

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."  Psalm 5:3

"I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation."  Psalm 13:5

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save."  Zephaniah 3:17

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being."  Ephesians 3:16

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when He has stood the test, He will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."  James 1:12

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are."  Hebrews 4:15

One trap I've learned to avoid is to think that because I'm serving the Lord and following His voice that I'm somehow immune to trials and suffering.  We live in a fallen world, and there is pain, difficulty, sickness, any number of "hard" things.  We can't avoid them, but we don't face them alone.  The enemy may try to bring condemnation into our hearts because of the trials.  We must stand against that and receive God's grace for each situation.  The trials aren't in any way punishment - they are opportunities for growth and intimacy.

Job is an example of clinging to God in the midst of immense trials.  "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."  Job 13:25  He persevered!  "Our afflictions are designed not to break us but to bend us toward God."  - anonymous

Inner Strength

One of the key things I've learned over the last years is how important it is to have a strong "inner walk" with the Lord when trials and hardships come our way.  If we don't have His strong power within, we won't be able to handle the pressures from without.  It's His grace, strength, wisdom, and power that enables us to navigate the hard times.

A saving grace for me was talking to the Lord all day long with whatever I was facing.  It wasn't just my daily quiet time - it was being in communion with Him continually.  I often had to make important decisions all through the day.  I would whisper a prayer and ask Him to lead and guide me.  It was that inner strength that enabled me to handle the pressures and decisions that came my way.  

"I pray that He would grant you...to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man."  Ephesians 3:16

"They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, 'It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.' "  Acts 14:22

"This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' " Jeremiah 6:16

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good."  Genesis 50:20

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"For nothing is impossible with God."  Luke 1:37

"You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light.  With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."  2 Samuel 22:29,30

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"  Luke 12:25,26

"I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

I could go on and on.  So many verses about the Lord meeting us and being with us when we go through the difficulties of life.   "The power of Christ in you is greater than the pressure of troubles around you."  (anonymous)

He IS always, always faithful!!

Give Everything to Him

Our hearts are all impacted by the news of big tragedies - the recent plane crashes, the Ukraine war, the fires in Calif. with so many homes lost, etc.  We "weep with those who weep" and wish we could help.

But the "little" sorrows and trials of everyday life impact us too.  Colds, flu bugs, bills, job worries, lack of sleep, and so many "every day" things can weigh heavy on our hearts too.  Someone was just telling me how worn down she felt by these seemingly small things - in relation to the big things happening in our world.

The one thing that comforts me is that God is big enough to carry all of this - the huge, earth shattering events....and the "small" everyday problems we face.  Our consolation is that we can give everything to Him, and trust Him to be at work in everything.

These things can produce anxiety, even fear, in our hearts.  I was reading in the Psalms of how David, the mighty warrior, faced fear.  His response was "when I am afraid, I will trust in you."  (Psalm 56:3)  He knew what to do with his fears.  He gave them to the Lord, and trusted Him.  We can follow his example.

When we're anxious and concerned, it does no good to blame ourselves for that.  We're human, and we have human emotions.  It's best to bring these things to the Lord and allow Him to carry them for us.

"The Lord Himself goes before you, and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

"There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment."  1 John 4:18

"Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me."  Psalm 23:4

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

"I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame."  Psalm 34:4-8

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3

I could go on and on.  The Lord knew we would have nervousness, anxiety, and fear so He spoke to it again and again in the Word.  When unexpected or hard things come my way, I admit my heart sometimes gets anxious or fearful.  I have to stop, and remind myself of all the verses that say God will help me with whatever I'm facing.  He is so gracious, good, and faithful!!  Always!!

He Hovers Over Us

When we go through hard things, we have a choice of how to respond.

-  We can ask God questions, sometimes even in a demanding way.  In our pain, we may bombard heaven with "why" questions.  But God isn't obligated to answer our questions.  Sometimes He does, but often He doesn't.  He's God!  Our place is to trust and simply ask for His help to make it through the difficulties.

-  We can get upset and angry - which will eat away at our heart and open the door to bitterness.  This choice, this path, will destroy us.  I watched it happen to a family member and it broke my heart.

-  We can become discouraged by the difficult things that have come our way.  God understands our sorrow, our pain - but if we settle and stay in the place of discouragement, it robs us of the joy of the Lord that is our strength.

I have become convinced that God uses the trials, suffering, and pain to build our character and grow our faith.  He takes what is so difficult and hard, and redeems it by building strength and resilience into our lives.  He turns the negative things into good and beauty by drawing us unto Himself and making us more like Him.

We have to remember in the midst of the difficulties that the One that matters most to us, the One that we love will never let go of us in the hard times.  In the stormy times of trials and sufferings we need to be on guard by trusting that God will definitely never let go of us.  In His great love for us, He'll heal the pain, bring peace to the fear, destroy the seeds of doubt, and fill our hearts with hope.  Hope, then, keeps us going.

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."  Romans 12:12

"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

And I add my words to that verse - they shall make it through the hardest, darkest trials by trusting in the Lord.

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:l

"He fills the needs of those who fear Him.  He hears their cries for help and saves them."  Psalm 145:19

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart."  Psalm 34:18

"Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions."  Deuteronomy 32:11

We can't see Him - but He is "hovering" over us as we walk through trials and suffering.  He is carrying us through the hard times.

The previous years have had lots of trials, some deep suffering, and some difficult pain.  But I can give testimony to the fact that God has never left me.  He has been faithfully by my side through each thing I've faced.  He has carried me.  He has strengthened my faith, and built into my character.  He has used the hard times for good in countless ways.  He is faithful - abundantly so!

The Rock of Ages

It's been a full week for me preparing for the radiation therapy I'll have in the coming weeks.  I’m at peace with the plans and I’m trusting for good results. 

As I’ve prepared there has been a quote that has resonated in my heart!  It’s from a new book called “Kissing the Waves” by Val Kadalie, a lovely Christian lady here in Cape Town.  She quotes Charles Spurgeon:    "I have learned to kiss the waves that struck me against the Rock of Ages."

Pretty much every day I thank the Lord for being my Rock.  I cling to that Rock in all that I go through.  I couldn't make it without Him.  The firm, sure Rock of the Lord Jesus has been my strength and security in every challenge I've faced.  When the waves of trial, sickness, and suffering have hit - I've held on for life to the Rock of Ages.

"I love you, Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my Rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved."  Psalm 18:1-3 

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." Deuteronomy 32:4

"The Lord is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer."  2 Samuel 22:2

"The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock!  Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation."  2 Samuel 22:47 

"Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.  He only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved."  Psalm 62:1,2

How grateful I am for the Lord Jesus, my Rock!

Trouble is Transportation

These past weeks I've had some "weak" days.  I never know when they'll turn up.  I wake up to the day, and have no energy.  The next day I might wake up to lots of energy.  There's no rhyme or reason to it.  I just have to go with what the day gives me.  On a recent weak day, I came across a quote.  "Trouble is transportation - a bad thing can take you to a good place."  

I sat and pondered that for a while.  It's so very true.  My "troubles" have time and time again taken me to a good place - a place of closeness and intimacy with the Lord as I call upon Him for His help.  "When I'm weak, He is strong."  I couldn't make it without His help.  He carries me through the weakness.  Staying close to Him is indeed a "good place."  I'm grateful that I'm not alone in my weakness.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

"He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power."  Isaiah 40:29

"I was with you in weakness."  1 Corinthians 2:3

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

My "troubles" have led me to His care.  It's a good place to be!