Encouragement in Trials
To say the last few months has been easy would be a complete lie. I do want to say that it has been fun on so many levels because God is the most joyful person I know. While fighting to push through every inch of pressure and the deprivations that I have experienced, I somehow find it amazing that the Fathers omnipotent love pierces through every fragment of darkness that separates me from experiencing that love he so generously pours out. I know that my journey is not over, but nether is his love. It is an everlasting love that I will always get to experience, even in trials. Yes, I said it. Even in trials we can experience Gods amazing love through the Holy Spirit who loves inside of us.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 (ESV)
I have recently finished my first semester of college. It was not everything I expected it to be. When I began my journey to go back to school, that meant me leaving my full time job, which was extremely uncomfortable. Who said the gospel was suppose to be comfortable anyways? Jesus calls us to follow him, and that requires us to abandon our own lives. It does not sound very appealing does it? I am here to tell you that the most beautiful part of "picking up your cross" and following him is the true life you experience!
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If you truly want to follow me, you should at once completely reject and disown your own life. And you must be willing to share my cross and experience it as your own, as you continually surrender to my ways. Matthew 16:24 (TPT)
I am learning to love the uncomfortable because in the uncomfortable you find something extremely beautiful. You find your identity and what you were created for. I love what Mark Twain says, "The two greatest days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why." I do not have to spend my entire life trying to figuring out who I am. I am a Son of God. I have the absolute privilege of connecting with him in a deep and intimate relationship everyday, and through that I find out my purpose in life. That does not mean that it will always be simple. I am learning about the process of becoming more of who He has called me to be. And through that we sometimes have to go through trials. Shocker huh? Friends, I encourage you to welcome trials when they come you way.
"Trials are not merely trials. They are simply growth spurts."
I have learned that the greatest things do not come easy. God absolutely loves the process in which it takes to mold us into his image. Did you know that your destination is already planned out for you? What if I said that God is more focused on what is going on inside of you? What if I said that your current difficulties are actually educating you as you endure them? These are some great things to ask yourself in your quiet time with God, as you dialogue with him. I want to draw you back into why I am writing you. It’s more important what you are learning in the process of you life. Stop focusing on why certain things are happening to you and start asking God what he is doing in those moments.
"It's not what happens to you that is important as what happens in you."
