Treasure in Jars of Clay

I find myself on the periphery of a difficult situation.  I'm not in the middle of it, but people I love are.  I find it painful to watch them going through it.  I want to help - to rescue them - to take the difficulty away.  But, alas! I don't have the ability to do that.

As I've prayed and cried out to the Lord for them, I'm reminded that God is at work to help them in way more ways than I ever could.  Things may be difficult - even feel like everything is falling apart, but God is at work.  He is unfailing and He will help in the difficulty.  I was thinking of a verse:

"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job.  Instead, be glad that you are in the thick of what Christ experienced.  This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."  1 Peter 4:12,13  The Message

I haven't always liked that verse - especially when life has gotten really difficult for me.....but it has helped me keep things in perspective.  We will have hard times on this earth.  Times we don't like.  Times that are unfair.  Times when things just seem wrong.  Times that are super hard.  But if God has allowed these things to come our way, He will be faithful to help us through them.  He will help my friends get through the hard time they're facing.

I've had times when I've told the Lord that I think He has too much faith in me in terms of making it through difficult times.  And then I hear His gentle voice reminding me that He's strong when I'm weak - and His grace is sufficient for my every need.  And somehow, with His awesome help, I've made it through some of those difficult times.  He's never left me alone.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:16-19

"Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel."  Psalm l73:23, 24

"So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?' "  Hebrews 13:6

"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  2 Corinthians 4:7-9

"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

I have to admit that I really, really don't like hard times.  And I hate to see my friends and family go through difficulties.  But I'm old enough to know that as long as we live on this earth, in this fallen world, we will have difficult, stretching times.  But I also know that we'll never go through them alone.  I certainly couldn't have made it without God's help.  He has been so faithful - and as only He can do - He's even brought good from those hard times.  I'm so grateful!

Hidden Treasure

When trials come along - when we face hard situations - when we struggle with difficult health problems - when any kind of hardship is challenging us.....we have to endure and persevere.  The temptation may be to try and ignore the situation or run the other way.  We may want to shake our fist and complain about what is happening.  But, like it or not, we have to face these things head on.  Thankfully we don't have to go through them alone.

Enduring and Persevering doesn't just "happen."  We have to choose in our hearts to go through whatever we are facing with our focus on the Lord and what He will teach us.  It may be a day-by-day choosing as we face the hard things.  There have been times when it was an almost minute-by-minute choosing!!  It's really hard to persevere in the midst of the hard situations.  But it's worth it - 100%, totally worth it.

In the midst of the hard things, there is hidden treasure.  The more difficult the situation, the more treasure there is to be found.....especially in our walk with the Lord.  It reminds me of Easter egg hunts when I was a child.  Searching in the grass, in bushes, under logs, hidden in furniture - there would be beautiful Easter eggs to be found and put in my basket.  My "basket" is full of treasures in my relationship with God.  Drawing near to Him in the midst of difficulties has brought a richness of friendship that I don't know if I'd have found otherwise.  He has taught me so many lessons.  He has had higher purposes for me, and He has revealed His will to me of what He is doing through the suffering.  I am blessed beyond measure!!

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life."  James 1:12

"We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame."  Romans 5:3-5

"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 1:2,3

"For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."  Hebrews 10:36

"If we endure, we will also reign with Him."  2 Timothy 2:12

Everyone on this earth goes through hard times.  In the storms of life, as we seek Him and persevere, He will pour out His mercy, grace, and strength.  He is good and faithful.