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Has your world shattered and left you with no hope for your marriage? We will pray for you.
“My troubles turned out all for the best.” (Psalm 119:71,The Message Remix)
Where can the most beautiful vistas be viewed? From atop the summit of the tallest mountain, after the most strenuous climb.
Which valleys have the richest green velvet pastures and the fullest spikes of wildflower colors? Those that have withstood the greatest drenching rains.
What forests produce the most prolific new growth? Those that have suffered the hot, searing flames of destruction.
Which diamonds sparkle the most brilliantly? Those that have felt the cleaving of the jeweler’s sharp chisel and the friction of the polishing wheel.
An old Chinese proverb says, “The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
Just as all of nature suffers contrary conditions in order to be expanded, improved, or strengthened, so, too, do we. Difficulties and trials will always be a part of our lives. We cannot separate ourselves from them. And if we ponder it closely, we realize we will not grow as Christians if trials do not come to test and enlarge us.
If we try to wiggle out of these times, we force premature deliverance, frustrating God’s plan. It is like prying open a cocoon before the caterpillar has finished its metamorphosis into a butterfly. Forcing open the cocoon too soon will render the caterpillar deformed for the rest of its short lifespan.
When we manipulate the hands of the clock to align with our own agenda, we destroy the beauty that God desires to emerge from His timing. Through our own efforts to “help” God out with our deliverance, do we come out of our cocoon of circumstance too early and spiritually deformed in some way? Or do we wait for the revealed transformation by God’s hand?
Is our cocoon of circumstance not intended, as for the butterfly, to deepen our richest colors and give us wings of flight which we may not have had before the trial? While in that cocoon of circumstance, we “are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).
God knows the worth, the power, and the beauty hidden deep within our hearts and only that which is contrary to our comfort release the precious qualities within us. As Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom 8:18 NKJV).
God will work out all our circumstances for our benefit when we fully commit them and ourselves to Him, His Word, and His timing.
After experiencing a cocoon of contrary circumstance, are you able to say, as David, that all your troubles turned out for the best?
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Questions: Why does God allow us to go through such difficult times? What happens when we try to squirm out of difficulties?
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Thankfully, God does not abandon me in my “difficult” times …. He is there – beside me in my “wilfullness” just waiting for me to turn my “will” over to Him. He doesn’t push my wilfullness aside – but waits for my decision. “Jesus is [always] tenderly calling me ‘home’.” And that’s the “difficulty” sometimes – for me to hear AND respond. Otherwise, God allows “difficult times”, like winds and storms are to vines and plants – but always for His glory – His Strength to be made [shown] perfect. “The Glad Surrender” …. don’t know it ’til it’s “formed in me”.
Lynn- awesome examples form nature, the Bible and old Chinese saying. Thank you for reminding us that trials have purpose and God is with us through them.
When we trust God with our whole life, we can become free from worry!
Able to more closely observe His beauty all aroun us.
Dear Abba Father.
I first ask a blessing upon my sister Lynn and i pray that you will bless her, her life and ministry.
I also say thank you for bring trials that as Your child You can shape me into the person that You want me to be. I feel like I am always learning from you and from the time that I was in my mother’s womb, You have tested me, and taught me many thins in my life.
What IMPORTANT words!! We can surely try wiggling away too soon, but for sure, we’ll be stumped emotionally and spiritually too. Lord, hold us still and help us allow YOU to do YOUR work in our lives!
“difficulty” is just that – DIFFICULT …. I’m thankful that by His Spirit, God reminds me that He is not the author of “difficult” but because of my need of Him (and my Human nature doesn’t “need” – right ?), in mercy and grace, He lovingly allows difficulties to come to me, so that I might choose to let Him take care of them …. seeing Him true to His Word as to Who He Is ! Wonderful – Counsellor – Mighty God – Prince of PEACE ….. He is all that is contrary to the “world” in which my sin nature flourishes apart from HIM ! Contemplate the grapevine …. what it endures in order to bear good fruit !
Forgive me, sweet ladies. I did not get a notification that these remarks were here. And because of my fibromyalgia, I’d forgotten about this post. I am sorry for not responding. You ladies are precious souls. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment on this.
And Shelley, a special thank you for your precious prayer.
Blessings to you all!
As a women who also has battled fibromyalgia; I have learned to live in the moment and I now choose to be happy. The Lord is good and He has helped me live more freely from “the people pleaser” spirit that has plagued me all my life. My cocoon of circumstance has finally released me to become a beautiful butterfly. I pray that you will be encouraged.
Oh, my, Peggy! Good for you! And I totally agree with you. The best way to live within a circumstance, especially a physical one, is to still praise the Lord. I pray the Lord brings you body comfort and ease if not healing. And thank you for the encouragement. Bless you! :D