Silver Linings
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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
