Weather Report From Heaven: Sunny and bright, with an abundance of light and lots of singing and rejoicing.
Scripture- “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Insight: A mentor of mine had a saying that I really like. He said, “if you have to go through it, you might as well grow through it.” In other words, adversity can teach us many lessons that lead to growth. Growth in character, growth in our faith and trust in God, and growth in learning to see all trials we endure in life as necessary parts of increasing our Christ Likeness. God doesn’t waste anything, and He will not waste your pain. Nothing molds us more than the fires of affliction and the humility of brokenness. Don’t get me wrong, these trials are not easy, and they are never fun. But if they are allowed by God, we can trust that they are for a higher purpose and ultimately will be used for our good and our growth. Dr. Charles Stanley says that when people are broken in spirit they “come to a place where they are confronted with their own inadequacy, sin and self-will. Then, in total desperation, stripped of all their devices and contingency plans, they look to God and recognize their complete dependence on Him.” In our darkest moments, when all of our contingency plans prove to be insufficient, God is there to guide us through to safety, just as He repeatedly did for King David.
I am going through an unexpected health issue right now that has led me to be on my knees asking for God to intervene and keep a mass the doctors found in my prostate from being cancerous. I have felt scared at times, but I have also felt the Lord’s strength in my life more now than many times before. I also have had my comfort zone shattered by a move to a new house that has been rife with unexpected problems that at times seem unending, which have left my wife and I stressed and burned out. My career is in a holding pattern, and not reaping the desired results. All of this together has been a severe trial on many levels, but again it has brought us closer to God as we were empty. Fully depleted, in our own strength. Looking anywhere else for strength and protection right now is foolish and a waste of time. In these moments, we are faced with a stark reality: We can lose faith in God and run from Him, or trust God more deeply than ever before and run towards Him. When our comfort zones and foundations of our life are rocked, and we are out on a limb, we realize all we have to hang on to is Him, but He is enough. His rod and his staff comfort us, even in the darkest of valley’s. There is purpose in the pain, even when we can’t see it. Without Him, we have no chance.
Prayer: Father God, when we go through the trials and storms of life, we are brought to our knees as we come face to face with our own limitations and weaknesses, but we can grow in our faith in you. We have nowhere else to turn, and that is a good thing. We must realize the depth of our need for you in such times. Please hear our prayers and let us feel your power and peace that transcends all understanding in the midst of the tempest. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
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