11/07/2008

About trials

Wanted to share with you some thought from the second lesson from the devotional book I am using "Trials, don't take them as intruders". I will share some more when I have time to write it down. Hope it is a blessing for some of you. If anyone would like to share a time when you have gone through trials and how God used it for His glory, I would love to hear it and I am sure it would be a blessing and encouragement to others too.

Lesson 2: God allows trial for His glory.

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Wow, isn’t it amazing that when we are week, when there is nothing we can do, when we aren’t worth much for the world; then is when He can work the best through us? Being week is not really such a bad thing uh?

When we are going through a difficult situation is difficult to remember that God loves us and that He is in control of every situation. Why? Well, in my case it is because I am so concern with whatever the problems is, and my eyes are on it, instead of looking up to God right away. Putting my eyes on my problems is taking my eyes away from God.

In John 9 we see a blind man. The people were asking Jesus why was it that he got that punishment. But Jesus answer to them: “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.”. God allows the trials on our lives so that His works would be manifested in us. Even in the valleys we are to praise His name because He is worthy of all our praise.
A few months back, my brother in law called us. He is the assistant pastor in a church in Jackson, TN. He asked us to pray for a lady in his church. She wasn’t much older than me and had small children. Her husband has left her recently for another woman. She was alone and she has just found out that she had cancer. I believe that it had already extended to other organs. I don’t remember now exactly all of the details. He told us that all the church was fasting and praying for her and asked us to unite with them in prayer and fasting if possible. A couple of weeks ago he told me that she was clean of cancer. The doctors couldn’t explain it. She didn’t have many chances the doctors thought. I think she is a perfect example of that verse. She is a testimony of God’s works.
Look at the testimony of Fanny Crosby. She was blind at 6 weeks of age because of a medical mistake. Yet, God used her in such a way and now we have so many beautiful hymns because of God’s work manifested in her.

To finish I want to share a verse that I believe is important:

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

4 comments:

HOPE said...

Please visit my story...at Watering Wells of Hope. I'm on Songs from My Journey roll.

I am also currently writing in my other blog..This is the day...

God's work is never in vain no matter how hard the trials...our faith should be strengthened and our eyes set only upon the LORD.

God bless..
HOPE

Stonefox said...

I agree, when trials come to my life, I am consumed by the here and now instead of being able to see beyond it. And honestly, I am more concerned about my own comfort than I am God's glory. It is not something i am proud of, but trials have a way of revealing what is really in our hearts.

The good news is that trials also have a way of transforming our hearts. It is a work that God does, and that too manifest's His glory.

Thanks for the encouraging comment you left on my blog. You are a dear sister and I would LOVE for us to meet someday! Who knows?! Keep pressing on, dear sister.

Deborah said...

This was a wonderful post! So often we take our eyes off the Lord just when we need to be drawing nearer!
Many of my songs deal with God's amazing mercy and grace during our trials. The songs and the story behind some, can be found on Songs Of Faith. Also the theme song of my blog speaks of turning the stumbling blocks of life into stepping stones to higher ground.

Unknown said...

Yes, Pilar, this is post is a blessing! Thank you for sharing. When I was little my trials sent me to my room in tears, pleading the Lord to comfort me. I found the comfort of His "loving arms". Now as an adult I often go running to others, my husband, friends, or even just sit crying it out till I finally remember those moments as a child in the "loving arms" of my Father. Thanks for the talk last night too, girl! God will keep you and protect you! Be strong and of good courage! Un besin