I have a wonderful friend who I admire with all my heart. She is a wonderful,loving,giving person. She makes the best apple pie I have ever tasted. My friend has had struggle after struggle, and fears there is no end to the pain and hurt she is encountering. My heart aches for her. My prayers go out to her. She has walked a road of pain, she has lived with hurt and guilt. She carries a heavy burden. She loves the Lord with all her heart. She searches for God's word to teach her. She listens for God's whisper. She yearns for peace and for life to calm. She has said she feel like Job, the pain never ends. Every chapter in Job teaches us something. Job had great faith, his friends and wife didn't. They told him to just curse God and get it all over with. Job refused to do that. All Job had was taken away. All that mattered to him was gone, and now his body was in agony. A pain that would not cease. Did anyone really understand Job? I don't think they did. Job was a man of honor and faith. He trusted God. For his faith, and never turning away,God blessed Job. Later in Job's life he had much more than in the beginning of his life. God teaches us in many ways. He was with Job every step of the way. He never turned away from Job, or never left for one minute. He didn't give up on Job. Job prayed for relief. Job was facing trials, and he wasn't getting encouragement from others. Job was facing hurt, no one gave him comfort. Job looked all around and he was bent on all sides. Everywhere he looked he found struggles. It was as though all had turned against him and he was left alone.He felt the pain of being alone and as he called out to God. God answered.God was with him. Through all that Job went through he grew closer to God. There was a purpose for God allowing satan to attack Job. Job didn't understand that at the time, but God had Job's life under control. He wasn't going to allow satan to take Job's life. When we are suffering we doubt all around us. When it feels as though nothing is going our way, we feel alone. When attack after attack comes, we want to give up. Please know that you are no more alone than Job was. God is right there with you every step of the way. Nothing comes to us, that first doesn't go through God. We may be asking why, we may not be understanding,but in God's time He will show us, and all will be for the glory of God. Romans 5: 3-5 " and not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, becuase the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."It is through those hard times that we grow, that we turn to God, and He molds us, and shapes us into who He wants us to become. He is making a masterpiece in us. With His hands He has all things under control for His glory. At times trouble seems to come out of nowhere, sometimes we can see it coming, but whether we see the storm coming or whether it hits us blindsided,we have faith and comfort in knowing our God is bigger than anything that touches us. Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." We have nothing to fear. We have nothing to lose with God on our side. Although we may struggle, there is a purpose and God will show us our way through this maze we find ourselves in at times. Don't close your eyes, and hide away. Open your eyes to God,and see all He does have for you. Don't ever give up, for God will give us all we need to get through and we may just find blessings along the way....
