Trusting in God
What does it mean to trust in God? I think trusting God means believeing he has a plan for your life and you have to have faith in Him to trust him. Recent events in my life have caused that trust to at moments fade away. My family has been dealing with many different and devasting trials at this time. My family was a victim of just one of the many floods that have swept across the midwest this year. If that wasn't enough we have had personal loss of a family member and a serious illness with another family member. All of these events by themselves are devasting but when faced with them all at once it feels overwhelming to say the least. I could never express how difficult our lives have suddenly become.
Its times like these that people look to place blame on someone or anything. I like so many people that experience these types of troubles want to blame God for letting these events happen. But its not a time to place blame its a time to stop and think and examine what God is trying to teach you with these events in your life. I think God is trying to show my family and myself that its ok to be weak, its ok to ask for help and not let pride get in the way. Also I feel like God is trying to speak to people's hearts and show them that stuff is just stuff, stuff can't provide you with the everlasting love and joy you find in God.
When I take a look at what God is doing with my life right now he isn't destroying it, but rather he is renewing it with his knowledge of whats important in this world. First of all the one thing that is of most importance in this world is God and his relationship in your life. Secondly your family, no matter how messed up they may seem. And finally your friends and what they bring into your life. What I find myself learning lately is to appreciate what you have and not worry about what you don't have. Cherish the ones you love and tell them you love them. And most of all I'm learning to love God through even the most difficult times because He can bring you the peace you need in your life.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
STop and Listen To God
I find myself fighting God's trials lately and wondering why so much is happening at once. When my wife reminds me that God will not give us more than we can handle, it brings me back to reality and I then lokk back to try and find out why I have been given the opportunity to grow to fulfill God's on-going purpose for my life.
I also realize that I need to spend more time listening to God's word and growing in my journey with him. I would suggest everyone to "stop" when they think they are about to scream from being ovewhelmed and just listen to what God may be trying to tell you. Listening in an analytical way to what you are experiencing and look for how you might grow from it and then proceed to overcome the challenge. In the end you will be stronger in your walk with God and ready to face future hurdles.
I also realize that I need to spend more time listening to God's word and growing in my journey with him. I would suggest everyone to "stop" when they think they are about to scream from being ovewhelmed and just listen to what God may be trying to tell you. Listening in an analytical way to what you are experiencing and look for how you might grow from it and then proceed to overcome the challenge. In the end you will be stronger in your walk with God and ready to face future hurdles.
Keeping the Faith
1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering for Being a Christian 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Some days I feel like my faith is on trial and Satan has a grip on my day. This causes me to unfortunately lose my confidence in God’s ability to get me through the situation. But, once I get past the wind being knocked out of my overconfident sails I stop and ask the most important question: “Why am I going through this challenge and am I going to STOP and LISTEN and BELIEVE that God will get me through this????” I just spoke with my son about this question. Right now my family is going through so many trials. I consider myself a positive person in most situations but right now I am struggling to keep my feet on solid ground. I want to run away from all the issues I am facing and just say ENOUGH, I am only one person (and I am extremely human).
Okay, being human is downright a disadvantage. BUT, if we sit back, take a deep breath, and remember that God ALWAYS has a purpose for testing a believer’s faith. He will stretch us so that we will have a greater capacity to serve him. Though at times we my feel we are at our limit, the process actually occurs gently, like stretching a new rubber band a little at a time. With each extension, we grow in our capacity to serve God and bring him glory.
It is so easy to trust God for certain things more than others, but God desires our complete dependence regardless of the situation. That is why He will test us in the same area repeatedly until we can successfully hold up under the pressure.
Just remember we will be both successful and we will fail in the process of growing in our faith. The disciple Peter had his share of both. But, if we look at Peter’s life we will see the Lord stretching him (like a new rubber band) and we see his capacity for serving the Lord grow. In the book of Acts, I is Peter who fearlessly preaches at Pentecost and also heals a lame man without a shred of doubt. (Acts: 2:14-36; 3:1-7).
As we mature as Christians God will continue to test us. And if we remember that he has a purpose for our lives we will gradually see the true plan for our lives emerge. So remember KEEP THE FAITH.
Suffering for Being a Christian 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[a]
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Some days I feel like my faith is on trial and Satan has a grip on my day. This causes me to unfortunately lose my confidence in God’s ability to get me through the situation. But, once I get past the wind being knocked out of my overconfident sails I stop and ask the most important question: “Why am I going through this challenge and am I going to STOP and LISTEN and BELIEVE that God will get me through this????” I just spoke with my son about this question. Right now my family is going through so many trials. I consider myself a positive person in most situations but right now I am struggling to keep my feet on solid ground. I want to run away from all the issues I am facing and just say ENOUGH, I am only one person (and I am extremely human).
Okay, being human is downright a disadvantage. BUT, if we sit back, take a deep breath, and remember that God ALWAYS has a purpose for testing a believer’s faith. He will stretch us so that we will have a greater capacity to serve him. Though at times we my feel we are at our limit, the process actually occurs gently, like stretching a new rubber band a little at a time. With each extension, we grow in our capacity to serve God and bring him glory.
It is so easy to trust God for certain things more than others, but God desires our complete dependence regardless of the situation. That is why He will test us in the same area repeatedly until we can successfully hold up under the pressure.
Just remember we will be both successful and we will fail in the process of growing in our faith. The disciple Peter had his share of both. But, if we look at Peter’s life we will see the Lord stretching him (like a new rubber band) and we see his capacity for serving the Lord grow. In the book of Acts, I is Peter who fearlessly preaches at Pentecost and also heals a lame man without a shred of doubt. (Acts: 2:14-36; 3:1-7).
As we mature as Christians God will continue to test us. And if we remember that he has a purpose for our lives we will gradually see the true plan for our lives emerge. So remember KEEP THE FAITH.
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