As a melancholy personality, when I threw "pity parties," I was the best hostess ever. Therefore, I was horrified when I read the Biblical exhortation that Christians are to rejoice in our tribulation (Romans 5:3). I soon learned that rejoicing does not exclude our God-given negative feelings.
In the beginning of the trial, we can entertain our negative emotions and attitude about our current issues; but once we allow our self to feel that initial reaction, we can exchange our tears and woes for the joy that God sets in front of us in and through our tribulation (Hebrews 12:2).
Before God's Spirit transformed my life, I saw every glass as "half empty;" and every trial as insurmountable. Over the years of sanctification, God's Spirit gave me the mind and nature of Jesus, and He exchanged my carnal point of view with a Biblical worldview.
Since receiving healing from God and His freedom from satanic lies, I now believe the Bible over any thinking, feeling, or advice that I receive or experience that is contrary to the Word of God. Christ is my life (Colossians 3:4), and there is nothing in this world that attracts me to act or to think otherwise. He is all I need and desire (Psalm 27:4).
We have the confidence that God always plants a seed for a miracle in every trial. Searching for that tiny shoot of blossoming blessing is half the fun. The anticipation of His hand in the midst of our sorrows and fears will change our focus from the negative aspects in our life to the positive that God supplies.
We actively look for the positive, because it is hiding just below the surface of our issues (Philippians 4:8). We observe how God always intervenes for His children, both in our sphere of existence and in the example of other Saints in His Word. God cares about every detail of our life.
God is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8); therefore, His ways are consistent and the paths that we walk are similar to the issues faced by others. We can trust in Him with our whole heart, mind and choices, because He always proves Himself faithful to us.
Prayer:
Father God, though our individual circumstances may differ from the trials that Your other family members face; yet, they all have a bottom line, a beginning and ending, a lesson to learn from them, and an opportunity to allow patience to have her perfect work in us through them (James 1:4). We draw courage from one another, faith from the positive outcome in another person’s experience, and fortitude from the wisdom and perseverance that our spiritual brothers and sisters display.
Help us to live as an example during negative trials too, so that other people may learn from our faith, resolution, wisdom, insight and joy. Saints of old are a great cloud of witnesses to us of Your goodness in their lives (Hebrews 12:1-2), and we can be witnesses to those in our life - as examples of Your children who trust in Your goodness, mercy and grace. We give You all of the praise and the glory due to Your name.
Thought for the Day:
Trusting in the Lord with our whole heart, not depending on our human resources and understanding, resisting satanic forces that come into our life to conduct spiritual warfare, and praying without ceasing are our lifeline to an uplifting and proactive life on this earth.
– James 4:7-8; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
