1Peter-4:12-13 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you, but rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.
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At some point in our lives we came to know Jesus as our Savior and we began our Spiritual lives as children much like we began our human lives. And God the Father began teaching each of us the lessons of eternal life, nurturing the absolute best in us using circumstances designed for us.
Just as each of us is unique with our own fingerprints and DNA, our Father will use whatever unique life lesson is necessary to continually grow us up even if we don't want to, using lessons we ordinarily wouldn't choose for ourselves. Let's face it, patience may be a fruit of the Spirit, but very few would intentionally choose the intense trials it takes for us to see that fruit flourish and mature in us.
Some trials may be more intense than others. Some may catch us off guard. But no circumstance takes God off guard and He uses all of them to work together for our good.
So, when something happens in our lives that's out of our control, look for the lesson and perhaps what's even more important look for our response. Once we see life's trials as lessons for our benefit we can see snarled, crawling traffic as an opportunity to turn up the radio and sing. We can see the guy that just cut in front of us in line at the check-out counter as a test for self-control. And we can deal with the ridicule of our Christian beliefs as an opportunity to be better prepared to give an answer for the hope we have.
Stand fast when the trials of life hit and trust that our Abba Father - Dad loves us so much that He wants us not only to share in Christ's sufferings, but in His inheritance as well. Jesus left to prepare a place for us with the Father and we're invited to join Him...soon.
For now, believe, stand fast, grow, tell a friend :)
Friday, October 1, 2010
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Joe,
ReplyDeleteGood lesson and good insight for us. Better to have the perspective of "This is a God-opportunity" instead of "This jerk who cut me off is a nuisance." It is a chance for us to see the Holy Spirit at work...in us. :-)
AMEN! Yes, we often wouldn't choose the trials which produce His best results, but we can choose to trust Him.
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