(Understanding hard trials)

Earth and all the Humans on earth belong to God!  Everything pertaining to this world goes His way, with His plan and His order of things.  God calls the shots period.  He created this world and has all rights to it and us!  Originally this world was perfect.  God says this Himself over and over again in Genesis 1 “God saw that it was good.” Then Sin entered this world in Genesis 3:6.  God had a plan to redeem us. Why did He create a plan?  Because of this wonderful scripture verse…John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Why am I saying all this?   I have been through and are presently going through really difficult trials.  I still love God like crazy and I don’t blame God for my pain and suffering now.  I use to in the past.  Why God why?  When are you going to help me God?  Why are you letting me suffer God?  Why did you take that away from me God? When are you going heal me God?  I’ve learned that it’s His world and His way and I need to get with His program and not mine!  Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  Our joys and sorrows are all in God’s plan for us.  There is NOTHING that we go through that is a shocking to God.  He doesn’t get any enjoyment out of seeing us suffer either.  In fact He has given us an amazing way through all we go through.  It’s called…Grace.  One of God’s attributes is that He is merciful!  I need to pray about my need and say to God…”I really love and trust you no matter what happens to me!!!”

Now I’m about to give you another powerful point.  When you know for an absolute fact that God really loves you….you understand that no matter what you go through that no situation can separate you from Him and from His love for you.  Reassurance of God’s love will hold you up under ANY extremely difficult trial you may face! I have learned to say what Job said… Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.Job13:15

My next powerful point in dealing with suffering is knowing who you are in Christ. I need to be reassured in my mind that Jesus time here on earth and sacrifice at the cross was for my good in every aspect my life.  Jesus trip to the cross guaranteed me that my name is written in the Lambs book of life.  Also when Jesus left this earth He sent the Holy Spirit who lives in us and helps through every aspect of our lives!!! God DOES have our backs!!!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said these words to King Nebuchadnezzar when they were going to be burn up in a furnace “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18.  Did you read those words…”EVEN IF HE DOES NOT DELIVER US”.  Now those are some trusting words there.  Why are those words so significant? 

Because when you know that God loves you, sent His Son to die for you and that your name is written in the Lambs book of life…you can endure anything that’s throw at you because:

1. You know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord so what can man or the devil do to you.

2.  We love God Just because of who He is and not just because of what He does for us.  When we love God just because of who He is, we are freed from using Him like a genie in a bottle.  We pray and wait for His answer.  We just flat out trust Him in the way He answers our prayers… no matter what!!!

3. God always has your back.  You may not always feel that He does but HE DOES!   When you study His word you WILL know what God can do for you.  That knowledge will give you that “hang-in-there” strength you need.  God can give you unbelievable grace when you’re waiting for an answer to your prayer request.

Now to you it may sound harsh for me to say it’s His world and His way…but the reality is that…it’s a fact.  Life in general is a though road.  Nobody has it easy.  But you have to look at the big picture which is God wanted a human to be His real child.  He created a planet for them to live on.  Since He is so holy and set apart…nobody just gets a free ride to be His very own child. A blood sacrifice had to be given.   So God got His only Son to give His life so that we would have all that we needed to have an abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven.  It’s His plan and His way…that’s it.  You may not like how He does things.  You may not understand some of the harsh things He allows to happen….but it is what it is.  His world His way.  It’s the way God does things.  We can pray and ask for help but we cannot force Him into doing what we want Him to do for us.

We have to take a page from Job: He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:10

We must love God and just love Him period.  Let our love for God stand alone.  God’s greatest attribute is His love for us.  Don’t look at God in the view of our troubles.  That will cause us to judge and question Him and say…why God why? 1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

God is not springing anything on us.  He warned us in His word that things will be challenging for us.   Jesus did a lot for us so we can make it in this world. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Yes there is going to be trouble.  His world His ways.

Let me tell you…I have my ways…ask my husband and my children.  In my house whole I made the plans and rules and my kids jobs was to obey me….period.  I birthed them and I was responsible for all their care.  I took that job very seriously.  It was a great responsibility!!  Well God took on the responsibility for the humans He created.  He held back nothing for us to prosper.    He gave His only Son to make sure the plan would come out perfect!!!  He could do all that because He made us!!!  He has that right and it’s His way.

So for me….I had to get with His plan!!!!!  I’m not a fan of His plans because they hurt, are sometimes painful and difficult to get through.  But I see the big picture that He has for me that He’s written out in His word.  I keep my mind on all that He’s promised me in this life and the next.  I reach out and accept the grace He’s already prepared to help me.  I’m fully covered!!  I look back in my life and remember all the times He has bought me through.  I’m sure there will be some difficult days ahead, but I know God is there to see me through.

My mom suffered so in her last 3 years of life.  I always heard her talk about how good God was to her.  She praised Him with her last breath.   In her last year she made it her mission to tell everyone to put God first.  At this time she was having daily seizures after having had a few strokes.  But she kept listening to her praise music and worshiping God.  She was always praying to God. 

In the hard times we must immerse ourselves in pray, worship, and meditating on the word of God.  He promised to help us in this life.  When we cross over to His heavenly realm to our unimaginable eternal life, we will receive rewards for our suffering and we will NEVER go through any more pain ever again!!!  Come on children of God….we can do this!  God knows what HE’s doing!  He loves us and has perfect motives for our survival through this life.  Let’s close the book on our own plans for our lives and open His book for the plans for our life.  We are HIS CREATIONS!  He set this whole thing up.  It’s His world and His way….let jump on His band wagon!

(Homework assignment…Look up the words to “It is well with my soul” and sing that song to yourself. Also read the story behind that hymn.)

God bless you!!