In Your Trials, Never Forget...

Glinda (to Dorothy): "Keep tight inside them. Their magic must be very powerful or she wouldn't want them so badly."

You know, I don't use many things like this to make a point. Generally I like to just go straight to our only authority, which is the Word of God.

But sometimes, I just can't help myself. This, of course, is one of them.

I won't go into the details of what is going on right now. Suffice it to say that this is a time of testing for me. Seems it will never end. You know what I mean...you struggle and struggle to bear in mind that God is still in control. You can't seem to catch a glimpse of God anywhere. It's called bearing up in the valley after you've learned He is there in the mountaintop.

And, remember, no matter how deep the valley, He is still there after you've left the mountaintop. No doubt.

I have no idea what you may be going through. We all struggle with various things or situations. We have our seasons of testing. Just remember, that is what it is -- a season of testing. Let's recall some of the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:

"³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

⁶In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

⁷so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

⁸and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

⁹obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."

See that? We who are in trials still rejoice. Why? Because we know we are being "protected by the power of God through faith" and that what seems to be so oppressing is really nothing more than something God has allowed in our lives to purify us and show us as genuinely born again.

That's it!

But we do need to remember that there is one, namely Satan, who (5:8 of 1 Peter) "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

If you are born of God, your faith is precious. Exceedingly so. And if you are really converted, the enemy cannot "de-faith" you because our Lord protects us from being "touched" (Gr: To cling to in order to separate) by the enemy. (1 John 5:18)

Furthermore, Paul reminds us that after we have suffered for a while, we may be able to comfort those who need comfort! (2 Cor. 1)

Simply put, we need each other!

Anyway if you, like me, find yourself going through some things that just seem just too crazy or heavy to bear just remember that it is a test. And if you are genuinely born of God, you can bear it. He promised through His Word!

^"13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13)

Blessings to you. Endure!