Are Trials Good?
Trials of life reveal your graces. Your faith looks more grand in the struggle of winter than in the fresh summer breezes. Hope is like a star that shines brightest in the darkness of adversity.
As God’s children, we are trained not on beds of ease and luxury but in forced marches and hard service, fording through streams, swimming rivers, climbing mountains, and walking many a weary mile with loads on our backs. Sometimes, troubles are training grounds to get our eyes off ourselves and onto our loving Heavenly Father, who has gone before and still leads us.
~~~ an excerpt from C. H. Spurgeon
Life’s Changes and Chances (Isaiah 42:6)
Fearless is the child of God when facing the changes and chances of this life. The Father knows each challenge and every course life takes. Each of His children can be full of hope that He will deliver them out of them as their hand rests in His hand, and He firmly grasps theirs. God will lead each of His children through all things. But when necessary, He will even bear them up in His arms when they cannot stand.
The same everlasting Father who cares for you and me today will take care of our tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield us from suffering or give us unfailing strength to bear it. So, let us be at peace, putting aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
~~~ paraphrase of Frances de Sales (1567-1622)
Consider: There is never a time when we may not hope in God. Whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and though, to all appearances, help is impossible, our business is to hope in God. Our hope will not be in vain. In the Lord’s choosing and time, help will come.
~~~ partial quote of George Mueller (1805-1898)
A Story with a Lesson
The donkey told the tiger, “The grass is blue.”
The tiger replied, “No, the grass is green.”
The discussion became heated, and the two decided to submit the issue to arbitration, so they approached the lion.
As they approached the lion on his throne, the donkey started screaming: ′′Your Highness, isn’t it true that the grass is blue?”
The lion replied: “If you believe it is true, the grass is blue.”
The donkey rushed forward and continued: ′′The tiger disagrees with me, contradicts me and annoys me. Please punish him.”
The king then declared: ′′The tiger will be punished with 3 days of silence.”
The donkey jumped with joy and went on his way, content and repeating ′′The grass is blue, the grass is blue…”
The tiger asked the lion, “Your Majesty, why have you punished me, after all, the grass is green?”
The lion replied, ′′You’ve known and seen the grass is green.”
The tiger asked, ′′So why do you punish me?”
The lion replied, “That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green.
The punishment is because it is degrading for a brave, intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with an ass, and on top of that, you came and bothered me with that question just to validate something you already knew was true!”
The biggest waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who doesn’t care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions.
Never waste time on discussions that make no sense. There are people who, for all the evidence presented to them, do not have the ability to understand.
Others who are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and the only thing that they want is to be right even if they aren’t.
Source: https://successminded.co/the-donkey-and-the-tiger/
He Give Quietness (Job 34:29)
Job had days when earth and hell seemed set against him. Many of us have felt overwhelmed and near drowning with each wave after another of conflict, sickness, or financial challenges. How we long to hear Christ’s voice above the screams of the wind whipping through the cords holding the sails of our little boat. “Peace, be still!” He draws near and whispers the assurance of His presence. When He does, an infinite calm keeps our hearts and minds in peace.
Giving God some Elbow Room
We have so much to learn, don’t we? I know I do. Did you ever consider making room in your life for God to act? Haven’t we all boxed God into a particular way to interact with us?
We should give Him some “elbow room” to move more freely. We can often over-calculate or estimate when and how this or that could occur. As an accountant, I ran many “what if” scenarios in my younger years. It can drive others a little crazy. If you are not careful, you could overlook God and His plan. He always chooses when, where, and how He moves.
Do not look for God to come in a specific way but do look for Him. Be alert, but do not expect Him to move in a certain way or how He has done before. Learn this great lesson: At any minute, God may break through. There is always this element of surprise! Stay alert and remember, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8
~~~ a paraphrase from Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), My Utmost for His Highest, pg 35.
Bill Wyler
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