I am learning that when we are going through a situation, a trial in our lives, that instead of praying it away, ask God to show us His will and give us blessings through it. When we are in a trial that is the last thing we want to do, to ask God to keep us still, and to teach us through all that is touching us, but just maybe it is the first thing He wants us to do, to turn to Him, trust Him, and see all He has for us through the trial. I have learned that each step is just part of the journey, a journey taking us to where He wants us to be. I remember being in school, if something was really easy, what happened? I lost interest, I got bored, and nothing grew in me, but throw something hard at me, and I see it as a challenge, and it has my attention. Our trials are a way for God to grab our attention, to teach us and to keep our eyes on Him. Those pop quizzes were unexpected, but if we were studied up, had our attention on what was in front of us, we faced those quizzes, no matter how hard, we learned something. We might not always be prepared for what comes our way, but as long as we have Jesus as our focus, we will overcome, and not only overcome but be transformed into who He is creating us to be. It is hard to be facing something and try to understand there are blessings in that trial we are facing, but as I have walked through my trials, I have learned God does give blessings, and we see them if we take our eyes off our situation and place them upon Him. Our situations are ever changing, but God is always the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our walk was not meant to be easy, just as training for a marathon, the trails are hard, each day has a new direction, but the destination never changes, we are always trying to get to the finish line. We are to keep our eyes on the prize, but it is too the journey of getting there. Each step is teaching us something new and giving us a desire to seek God more. For me, knowing that God is there makes all the difference now. I cannot figure all things out, I don't have all the answers, but knowing His wisdom and ways are higher than mine gives me hope, it gives me strength to know He is there seeing everything at a greater level than I and in each moment of my life He has given a purpose. That purpose is to bring glory to Him and to trust Him in all things that touch me. I continue to make mistakes daily, but when I raise my eyes to Jesus, when I confront my stumbling, He shows me my path, and with His love and grace He keeps me focused through all,getting back up after that fall, brushing myself off and starting again with His grace, grace that is given freely to me and you. It can be easy to lose faith in situations that touch us, we can begin to walk away, that is the last thing God wants us to do, and the first thing satan wants us to do. God wants our trust and faith, He wants to lead us in such a way that we are totally dependent on Him, satans goal it to destroy us, making us think our situation is winning and has control over us. No one else can open my eyes like God can. No one can move me like He can. I want to live to bring Him praise in the good times and the hard ones, the ones I do not understand, and the ones that cause great pain. He reminds us in His word that in everything under the sun there is a purpose, I just have to trust Him and follow Him through the fire, through the fire to be refined, to remove all the impurities, and allow the real beauty to shine forth~Lord, I ask that everyday my faith grows in You, that in every situation I will trust You, and I will seek You on the bright, sunny mornings, along with those that are cloudy, bringing forth rain and wind. Help me to trust You, and to learn from all. Help me to seek Your word for greater wisdom, and open my heart to Your teachings.
James 1:2-8 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
