Some people think that if someone is going through a
prolonged illness, time out of work, heart-wrenching grief or a trial of some
sort, that God is trying to teach them something; and that once they learn it,
they will be freed from the trial. Those in the trial beat themselves up by
thinking they need to pray more, read their Bible more or make some attempt to
appease God's wrath.
This causes people to doubt their connection to the Lord
and gives them hours of unrest and soul searching. Trials are not only times of
correction and repentance, but also of renewal and sweet fellowship with our
Father God. God is
jealous and enjoys having us all to Himself. We find our self lost in
the presence of God. We surrender all control to Him.
During times of trial, we have an abundance of time to
spend with God. When we think back on those days of horrid illness, stress or
persecution, we smile; not because we are masochists and love pain, but because
our normal schedule is totally interrupted and we have free time. We are
isolated from the world and able to spend that sweet time of oneness with the
Lord.
Often, the Lord will give us a "holiday" through
a trial, during which we can spend focused time worshipping the Beloved of our
soul. During trials, do not trust in your own efforts or expect generosity from
family, church and friends. Instead, wait with your whole soul – your mind,
will and emotions – and put complete hope in the Lord and His Word.
Prayer:
Father God, You hear our voice in the morning, as we lay our requests before you and
wait expectantly on You (Psalm 5:3). You love to spend all of Your
time with each one of us. The next time we are without work, isolated by
sickness or find our self alone through the death of a loved one or the
devastation of divorce, we will take this time to spend entirely with You. When
we do, we always find our self irrevocably changed in spirit, soul and body.
Thought
for the Day:
We
walk in the ways of the Lord and wait for Him, because His name and fame are
the desires of our heart. - Isaiah 26:8
