Friday, November 30, 2012

The Truth Behind a Trial


Summer is past, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I feel the rest of this year is whizzing past me.  2012 has been a good year in many ways and many new things have been discovered, learned, accomplished, and put away for a season. I hope to bring all of the things out of the *attic* soon, but for now, other things call. It’s exciting to think of what the New Year may hold… a little scary too, but what I really want to talk about doesn’t change from season to season: it will be the same no matter what the New Year holds! I want to write about the faithfulness of the Lord. I usually right about fairly superficial things: crafts, recipes, decorating, gardening, so on, but none of these mean much without purpose.  My purpose in life is to serve my Creator by serving others… it is the most fulfilling thing you can imagine…. I didn’t say it’s always spectacular or pretty, but it truly is fulfilling when my heart is set on someone other than me! 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” Romans 12:1-2 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “ I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” Acts 20:35. 

 On this fulfilling journey, (serving God by serving primarily my family), there are some hardships and pains I have and will encounter: everyone has hardships and trials. They come in many colors and packages, and mine happens to be that my Mom has bone cancer. This means a lot of different things for my family, but I can sum it all up by saying, a lot of things have been flipped upside down. I struggle with many fears:  that I won’t be able to handle my circumstances, that I’m not strong enough, that I will mess up or do something wrong... etc, but then the truth of God’s word finds me in those moments and shines in my fearful heart the light of truth: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 “ Theses things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33. 

When I am honest, I must say that I learn a great deal through trials! Trials teach me to focus on others, to sympathize with others better, to not strive in my own strength, and to lean on the arms of Jesus. So in the moments when I can’t go one step farther I remember that I don’t have to, God’s strength is sufficient for me and he is faithful to provide what I need when I need it! 

“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalms 86:15 “22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 Thy mercies are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” 1 Corinthians 1:9. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 has become one of the most comforting verses to me, “ Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments  to a thousand generations;”  
The truth behind whatever trial you face is God is faithful! I am so thankful to be serving ‘the faithful God’!  

~Maddy~