I heard a very poignant message yesterday. It was from the book of James. The focus of the message was trials, and what we do with them. There is no getting around it, they will come. They always do. They take all different forms, illness, finance, grief & loss, worry for a child, marriage trouble, wow, there are so many forms a trial can take. I don't know many people who haven't struggled with at least one of those over the years. Knowing they will come, whether we are ready or not, I guess the question is, what do you do with it?
Trials have the potential to tear apart families, to destroy character, to make life seem hopeless. They also have the potential to strengthen us, to build relationships, to learn to trust, to help others through our brokenness. We will weather it, one way or another.
Imagine looking your trial in the face, and being able to say, "I am ok. I can do this. I am going to come out on the other side of this, stronger." Notice all of the "I" statements? Let me spell out the full truth of it. "I" can do this with God's Grace. "I" can do this surrounded by the love of the people God has put into my life. "I" can do this, because I realize He has got this. He, is strong, so I don't always have to be. If I allow myself to say, "Lord, I can't do this alone. My way isn't working. I need you in my life. Please give me wisdom, surround me with people who will reflect you in my life." That is how "I" can come out on the other side stronger.
Know that whatever is going on in your life, someone close to you is likely struggling with something just as tough, maybe tougher. You are not alone, you are not being singled out for misery. These are teaching moments. We have an opportunity to do amazing things in our lives if we leverage the power of weakness, and seek strength in our Lord. If you were already perfect you wouldn't need Him, right? Perfection is overrated, I would rather be in the fire, being refined, so that I have a stronger appreciation for seasons of calm.
Use this time, look it in the face, and say "with you Lord, I can do this. What do you have to teach me in this?"
Do I hear an Amen? Sorry for the preaching, I was just feeling a little inspired, because, wow, did that message hit the spot for me.
Trials have the potential to tear apart families, to destroy character, to make life seem hopeless. They also have the potential to strengthen us, to build relationships, to learn to trust, to help others through our brokenness. We will weather it, one way or another.
Imagine looking your trial in the face, and being able to say, "I am ok. I can do this. I am going to come out on the other side of this, stronger." Notice all of the "I" statements? Let me spell out the full truth of it. "I" can do this with God's Grace. "I" can do this surrounded by the love of the people God has put into my life. "I" can do this, because I realize He has got this. He, is strong, so I don't always have to be. If I allow myself to say, "Lord, I can't do this alone. My way isn't working. I need you in my life. Please give me wisdom, surround me with people who will reflect you in my life." That is how "I" can come out on the other side stronger.
Know that whatever is going on in your life, someone close to you is likely struggling with something just as tough, maybe tougher. You are not alone, you are not being singled out for misery. These are teaching moments. We have an opportunity to do amazing things in our lives if we leverage the power of weakness, and seek strength in our Lord. If you were already perfect you wouldn't need Him, right? Perfection is overrated, I would rather be in the fire, being refined, so that I have a stronger appreciation for seasons of calm.
Use this time, look it in the face, and say "with you Lord, I can do this. What do you have to teach me in this?"
Do I hear an Amen? Sorry for the preaching, I was just feeling a little inspired, because, wow, did that message hit the spot for me.
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