I understand that this can be a tough topic. We humans do not want to experience loss, agony or pain…and God never wanted us to know them either…but if it helps us get stronger, isn’t it good for us?
“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Ps 118:24 NLT
Hi Friends, Diane here. We WILL rejoice, no matter what, because God has already seen “this day” and done, or allowed, everything for our benefit. Again this certainly doesn’t mean each individual event will be good. This doesn’t mean we will not suffer and have to deal with heartbreak. This doesn’t mean life will always seem like it is filled with rainbows and little singing birds flying over our heads…that’s just not reality. It does mean life will have challenges. That we will be tried. That we will have to endure difficult situations. But do you and I really know what is best for us?
We love experiencing good situations…but here’s the thing, are they really good or are we just considering them good because they are what WE want? I can’t help but think of that saying a lot of gyms have: No Pain, No Gain. Do we believe this? I mean when it comes to building muscles this is obvious, right? So why do we not see this truth when it comes to building our Faith, Hope and Love? These are like three amazing muscles we have deep in our spirit. (remember Php 2:12?) Apart from Christ, they are based on this world and MMI. What I can do. What I understand. What I can get from life. But in Christ? These three remain because they are founded in God, not anything that is temporary. (remember 1Co 13:13?) If we place our trust in anything or anyone other than God, we will be disappointed…this includes thinking that we know what is good for us and what is not. If we continue to want to have things OUR WAY, then it will lead to a very discontented life.
Join me in memorizing 52 verses this year:
January: 1- Jn 3:16; 2- 2Co 5:17; 3- Jas 2:26; 4- Eph 2:10
February: 5- Jn 10:10; 6- Ro 6:23; 7- Rev 21:4; 8- Php 4:13
March: 9- 1Pe 5:7; 10- Jn 8:32; 11- Dt 30:19; 12- Jn 3:30; 13- 2Chron 20:3
April: 14- 2Chron 20:12; 15- 2Chron 20:15b; 16- 2Chron 20:17
May: 17- Ro 8:28; 18- 1Co 13:13; 19- Php 2:12; 20- Mt 5:4
June: 21- Lk 23:42; 22- Jas 4:7; 23- Pr 22:6; 24- Mt 5:3; 25- Jn 14:6
July: 26- Jas 2:19; 27- Dt 31:8; 28- Jn 14:15; 29- Jn 8:11
30- Ro 8:1
31- Pr 4:23
32- Pr 18:21
33- Ps 118:24
<>< Peace, Diane
