In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1:3-9 NIV
I heard a message that was entitled, “When trials come, trust God.” Now, as simple as that statement sounds, it may be harder at times to put these two words into action… trust God. We often say that we have faith and we trust God, but when there is a circumstance that rocks us to the core, or a situation is out of our control or comfort zone, we could possibly have a problem with holding fast to that trust. It causes us to begin to question God or doubt Him, if things are not done in an expedient matter or if we haven’t heard Him speak to our hearts for direction and my personal favorite: trying to be in control of all things, Cynde. Silly me. This word spoke directly to me and to everything that I have had to endure throughout the past year. I could have gotten through my circumstances more effectively and expeditiously, had I trusted that God knew what He was doing in my life or had I remembered that I should not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which come to try me (1 Peter 4:12-13). It was a word of comfort indeed, as well as a great reminder.
The word circumstance can be defined as uncontrollable conditions: conditions that affect your life and are beyond your control; it could be social, financial, material, or even, spiritual conditions. They could all quite possibly occur at the same time and for any length of time. A season of circumstances is not predictable but deemed necessary by God and most definitely, at His discretion depending on what He is preparing you for. Of course, when we in our season, our vision may become cloudy and we can be totally oblivious to that point during that time. However, I bless God for the Word that comes to uplift us, keep us on track, and provide us with hope; a word that will help us to persevere and endure while we are yet in our season.
Honestly, if you are not inside the realm of where I live and not in a natural sense, but speaking in regards to being within the circle of the spiritual influences in my life, then you really only see the outer shell of who I am… the happy, bubbly, always encouraging, standing on the word and the promises of God, never let them see you sweat Cynde. The part of me that continually, consistently, and passionately loves the Lord and loves sharing the word of God. You may not ever see or experience the Cynde trials or the inner part of me that encounters the heaviness from the manifold temptations, the assortment of trials and tribulations or the suffering that comes with being a child of God for His purpose. The word tells us that there will be trials and that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:7). That is where I want to be found as I suffer for righteousness’ sake (1 Peter 3:14-15).
In my season of circumstances, I have learned to become even more transparent to those that would not have the opportunity to know me on that level. I know this is truly of the Lord’s doing because I have not, over the years, worn my situations and circumstances as a cloak; certainly, not on my face, nor in my actions, but privately. There have been many sleepless nights, some crying out to the Lord, a flowing of tears, and even emotional meltdowns. I would be telling an untruth if I didn’t admit that some of my days and nights were not filled with happiness and joy or peace. This year has taught me that I am not in control of all things, but that the Lord is trying to perfect and do a good work in me as He prepares me for purpose in which He called me. Today, I can truly say that this has left me filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, knowing that I am receiving the end result of my faith!
No matter what we are doing in whatever capacity, we cannot get weary when it comes to working in our purpose, our due season is upon us (Galatians 6:9). Yes, it will get hard at times; yes, we will have to deal with many obstacles; yes, there will be adversity, hardship, difficulties, and even some suffering but we must persevere. Yes, it will sometimes seem as if it is too much to bear, but we will have to have tenacity, along with some steadfastness to continue moving forward knowing that it is for our good and God’s glory. While also bearing in mind the sufferings of Jesus are not to be compared with the light afflictions we are asked to endure. I keep in mind the words of Peter, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while (a season) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness (showing the quality of worth) of your faith.”
You may be going through a season of uncontrollable conditions; a season that is beyond your control, but hold on. Keep in mind that God is trying you with a purifying fire and it is a process that you must go through in order that your genuineness of faith can be proven—which has a greater worth than gold. God is counting on us, so let’s complete the process with joy because God has counted us worthy (1 Peter 5:10)!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
I heard a message that was entitled, “When trials come, trust God.” Now, as simple as that statement sounds, it may be harder at times to put these two words into action… trust God. We often say that we have faith and we trust God, but when there is a circumstance that rocks us to the core, or a situation is out of our control or comfort zone, we could possibly have a problem with holding fast to that trust. It causes us to begin to question God or doubt Him, if things are not done in an expedient matter or if we haven’t heard Him speak to our hearts for direction and my personal favorite: trying to be in control of all things, Cynde. Silly me. This word spoke directly to me and to everything that I have had to endure throughout the past year. I could have gotten through my circumstances more effectively and expeditiously, had I trusted that God knew what He was doing in my life or had I remembered that I should not think it strange concerning the fiery trials which come to try me (1 Peter 4:12-13). It was a word of comfort indeed, as well as a great reminder.
The word circumstance can be defined as uncontrollable conditions: conditions that affect your life and are beyond your control; it could be social, financial, material, or even, spiritual conditions. They could all quite possibly occur at the same time and for any length of time. A season of circumstances is not predictable but deemed necessary by God and most definitely, at His discretion depending on what He is preparing you for. Of course, when we in our season, our vision may become cloudy and we can be totally oblivious to that point during that time. However, I bless God for the Word that comes to uplift us, keep us on track, and provide us with hope; a word that will help us to persevere and endure while we are yet in our season.
Honestly, if you are not inside the realm of where I live and not in a natural sense, but speaking in regards to being within the circle of the spiritual influences in my life, then you really only see the outer shell of who I am… the happy, bubbly, always encouraging, standing on the word and the promises of God, never let them see you sweat Cynde. The part of me that continually, consistently, and passionately loves the Lord and loves sharing the word of God. You may not ever see or experience the Cynde trials or the inner part of me that encounters the heaviness from the manifold temptations, the assortment of trials and tribulations or the suffering that comes with being a child of God for His purpose. The word tells us that there will be trials and that the trial of our faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:7). That is where I want to be found as I suffer for righteousness’ sake (1 Peter 3:14-15).
In my season of circumstances, I have learned to become even more transparent to those that would not have the opportunity to know me on that level. I know this is truly of the Lord’s doing because I have not, over the years, worn my situations and circumstances as a cloak; certainly, not on my face, nor in my actions, but privately. There have been many sleepless nights, some crying out to the Lord, a flowing of tears, and even emotional meltdowns. I would be telling an untruth if I didn’t admit that some of my days and nights were not filled with happiness and joy or peace. This year has taught me that I am not in control of all things, but that the Lord is trying to perfect and do a good work in me as He prepares me for purpose in which He called me. Today, I can truly say that this has left me filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, knowing that I am receiving the end result of my faith!
No matter what we are doing in whatever capacity, we cannot get weary when it comes to working in our purpose, our due season is upon us (Galatians 6:9). Yes, it will get hard at times; yes, we will have to deal with many obstacles; yes, there will be adversity, hardship, difficulties, and even some suffering but we must persevere. Yes, it will sometimes seem as if it is too much to bear, but we will have to have tenacity, along with some steadfastness to continue moving forward knowing that it is for our good and God’s glory. While also bearing in mind the sufferings of Jesus are not to be compared with the light afflictions we are asked to endure. I keep in mind the words of Peter, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while (a season) you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness (showing the quality of worth) of your faith.”
You may be going through a season of uncontrollable conditions; a season that is beyond your control, but hold on. Keep in mind that God is trying you with a purifying fire and it is a process that you must go through in order that your genuineness of faith can be proven—which has a greater worth than gold. God is counting on us, so let’s complete the process with joy because God has counted us worthy (1 Peter 5:10)!
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
|
