Life
in this sin-cursed world often brings us frustration, sadness, anxiety attacks
and eventually even hopelessness. There is a key element that allows us to
reign victoriously over any trial that our decisions, the devil, the world, or
God throw at us.
Yes,
God provides trials in our life as well. He does this to perfect our character,
teach us to trust in Him alone, and to bring us into a more perfect union with
Him. He encourages us to walk in His Spirit to avoid the trials, which we experience
through our choices (Galatians 5:15-25).
Trials
do not last forever. They have a beginning, but they also have an end. By
pursuing a healthy lifestyle, we avoid many illnesses; by reading God's Word
and worshipping with His Saints, we grow spiritually; by caring for our needs
at the same time we bless others, we reap joy in our soul.
Each
encounter with a negative situation transforms our life in some way. We can
allow them to make us bitter or better. We can curse God or praise God through
them (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Tough times make us stronger or they weaken us
and damage our body, soul and spirit. It is our choice.
God
gives us so many examples in His Word of how He used frail humans to do great
things for His Kingdom. They all went through adversity, which made them resilient,
and prepared them for God's future plans for them (Genesis 37-50).
In
truth, giving thanks to God in everything, under any circumstance and
regardless of what trial or success that we are experiencing, is the secret to
a victorious life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God has a peace-filled and joyous
life planned for us even in the midst of stress and turmoil (Jeremiah 29:11).
Prayer: Father
God, You knew us before You even formed us in our mother's womb; before we were
born, you set us apart for service in Your Kingdom (Jeremiah 1:50). Your Spirit
within us helps us to dispel Satan's lies that "we are not good
enough", that "we will always mess things up", that "You do
not really love us", etc.
Jesus'
love took our humanity and nailed it to Calvary's cross, as He made a way to
bring us into Your Kingdom and to freely give us all of His righteousness,
peace and joy within us (Romans 14:17; Luke 17:21). Thank You for loving us
enough to make a way for us to spend eternity with You, as well as every moment
of our life on this earth through Your Spirit within us.
Thought
for the Day:
Even
when we feel rejected, abandoned, unloved and worthless, the truth is that God
knows exactly who we are, where we are, what we need, and how to turn us around
in a moment of time; God's love, wisdom and power infuse our life with faith,
joy, peace and hope; and they mold an eternal mindset in us.
