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James 1:2-4 (NIV):"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let it finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you is short on wisdom, ask God, who gives generously to everyone without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
When you get to know God on a deeper level you learn that when you can't understand or trust his hands (circumstances) you can trust his heart. He is a loving good Father who loves his children. He loves us so much he trains us how to overcome the things of this world so we dont become a slave to it. He trains us so we can be empowered by his strength not our own. He trains us so that we can endure and walk in wisdom. The best athletes have to be trained and our father trains us to win our race.
One of the greatest gifts to us during trials is learning to discern our tribe. It's important in our journey to know our tribe. God opens our eyes during trials. During these times he draws very close to us and it's a time of deeper intimacy to him. We tend to listen more attentively and call out in deeper need of him. Our discernment is sharpened and we see things we were blind to before the trial. We grow in trials. Growth can be so painful but bears such great fruit. During these times we get to choose to become bitter or better, to draw close to God or turn away.
When we choose to trust God by faith during trials we get the opportunity to go to new levels with God. HE ALWAYS shows himself faithful. I know this because he has taught me this. I am always prone to doubt. I lose sight of his goodness or the past times he showed up for me. HE is ALWAYS faithful to show up again and again. I love this about him. He is slow to anger, patient, kind and relentless in his love for us. I am currently making a come back from a pretty major surgery and work has been insanely busy. Couple Fridays ago I was driving home so exhausted , sore, nauseated, wondering how I can possibly make it through this and I heard him very clearly say "Trust Me". Hearing him was so comforting for me and those simple words gave me the strength I needed to keep going. I went home and reset, rested and recharged then was back at it. Later that night my friend sent me a meme where God said "Trust me' as well. Those confirmations from him are amazing! GOD is AMAZING!
Sometimes trials are because God wants us to make some changes for our good or the good of his plan but we are being resistant to those changes. It's always so good to ask "Lord what is the lesson here?" What is it you want me to learn?" Sometimes trials are due to the sin of another or God just wants to teach us something through it. Trials come in different ways but they mold us into the person we are. Our trials are part of our story.
One of the most beautiful things that come from trials is the compassion we have when we meet someone else going through that same trial we never thought we would survive at the time. God uses us to help empower that person to make it through as well. Together we are strong. I truly believe one of the reasons we are met with so much resistance on our way to breaking through is because when we do breakthrough we are not the only one. We take others with us to next level freedom. LOTS of others. Because we take others with us makes us a definite threat to enemy territory. This inspires me. I live and breathe to be inspiration and empowerment for others so the fact that others benefit from my victory is so motivating to me! Blessed to be a BLESSING!
Helping others is the best way to get through trials. We also have a tendency to allow others to help us when going through trials. We don't feel we need as much help when everything is going well. There is a false confidence that happens when we feel too powerful and strong.
We tend to forget where we just came from. Who wants to feel powerless, weak and vulnerable? NO ONE. It feels better to feel powerful and in control yet God says he is strong when we are weak. God says "My grace is sufficient for you , for my power is made perfect in weakness.2 COR 12:9
I personally don't ever want to become so strong and powerful that I forget my need of him. How terrifying. Faith Is not always tested in the low times or the valleys. Faith is also tested when God pours out his blessing more than what we can think or comprehend. The test can be in the middle of tremendous blessings too! I pray with all my being when that day comes I will be found faithful and centered in HIM! I believe he knows when the time is right. HE trusts his children just as he has asked us to trust in him. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. There is so much comfort in that truth.
Sometimes the weight of a trial depends on our perception of the trial or situation. I am finding that these are the times we really have to press into prayer and hear what God is saying. Let our eyes and ears be opened so we can see God in in the situation and have better understanding. Its so much more joyful when we understand our assignment and walk in it.
I love that God loves us so much that he allows us rather trains us to be stronger instead of making the situation easier. What a good and loving father he is! Praying that you are embowered within. Ephesians 3:16
