TRIALS WILL COME, BUT JESUS ASKS US TO PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM

Does it seem at times like life is so full of challenges and trials that it almost becomes normal to ask “What’s Next !” I know that I am kind of feeling that way at present. So many people around us are struggling this year with a multitude of issues. Serious health issues, financial struggles, divorce proceedings and the frustration and pain that goes along with that experience. Suicides, both young and old, and of course a world on edge, as nations contemplate war and natural disasters seem to pop up out of nowhere. These trials can effect so many people and literally make life seem unbearable and very depressing. Sadly, I very recently injured a knee that I have had several surgeries on over my life. I vividly remember going under the knife each time and all the pain and hard work to bring it back to a functional level….and yet, I truly felt a peace come over me that instantly assured me that everything would be ok. Only recently I had been thinking about how blessed my family has been. So grateful that we have not been touched by some of the things other people are going through. It is easy to look around and find oneself distracted and anxious, but this is definitely NOT the way that God wants us to live. Scripture gives us a clear picture of how we are to approach trials and suffering. It is vitally important to seek this wisdom, and I believe in the near future it will be absolutely imperative to hold our families and communities together. All around us we can perceive division and distrust, but as Kingdom Citizens, God will show us our path.

BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO REMAINS STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL, FOR WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH GOD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. James 1:12

COUNT IT ALL JOY MY BROTHERS , WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS. James 1:2

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 4:6-7

The important thing to glean from the scriptures above is that the only way you can truly work through challenges and trials is to PUT YOUR TRUST IN CHRIST ! THAT RELATIONSHIP IS THE ONLY THING THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON ALL THE TIME ! Reliance on self will eventually leave us worn down. Our Lord promises us ENDURANCE and PEACE ! A PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. I know that at times it is easy to feel helpless and alone, but WE ARE NEVER ALONE WHEN WE TRUST IN JESUS. In the United States it is becoming more and more apparent that putting our trust in mere men and their plans will generally leave a person unsure and unsettled. I am sure that for those in other countries, there is a similar feeling of distrust and uncertainty in what is truth and what is theatre. GOD IS TRUTH. HE NEVER CHANGES AND NEVER MANIPULATES HIS WAYS TO MEET A CURRENT CULTURAL NORM. Having that kind of TRUST is what carries us through suffering and challenges because WE HAVE A GOD WHO LOVES US IN A DEEP WAY. That love may require us to experience trials so that we may grow in understanding, endurance, and wisdom. It is in the very fire and struggle that God shapes us and changes us into a righteous and consecrated member of THE BODY OF CHRIST. Importantly, we NEED TO BUILD THAT TRUST on an individual basis. The Church and Other Christians can help us on our journeys, but they do not replace that one on one, heart to heart relationship that only God The Father, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit can bring us.

BELOVED, DO NOT BE SURPRISED AT THE FIREY TRIAL WHEN IT COMES UPON YOU TO TEST YOU, AS THOUGH SOMETHING STRANGE WAS HAPPENING TO YOU. 1 Peter 4:10-12

SO THAT THE TESTED GENUINESS OF YOUR FAITH-MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD THAT PERISHES THROUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE-MAY BE FOUND TO RESULT IN PRAISE, GLORY, AND HONOR AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. 1 Peter 1:7

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS, KNOWING THAT SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE, AND ENDURANCE PRODUCES CHARACTER, AND CHARACTER PRODUCES HOPE, AND HOPE DOES NOT PUT US TO SHAME, BECAUSE GOD’S LOVE HAS BEEN POURED INTO OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US. Romans 5:3-5

Are you trusting in Jesus when trials come ? Without that trust it is easy to be consumed with fear and anger and pain. It is easy to drown in sorrow and anxiety and helplessness. GOD PROMISES US ENDURANCE AND HOPE. STRENGTH AND PEACE. There is Nothing That Jesus Cannot Overcome. Period. And when He abides in Us and We in Him, that Power and Authority and Peace is ours for the taking. To all who are suffering, from wars, to earthquakes, to personal struggles and tragedies, KNOW THAT JESUS SEES YOU, AND HE LOVES YOU. Seek Him and He Will Be With You ! We are at a time and a place where ONLY HIS LOVE AND STRENGTH WILL PROVIDE OUR TRUE NEEDS. I encourage everyone to seek Him in prayer and ask for His Guidance and Comfort in all we face in life. HE WILL BE THERE IF YOU TRUST HIM AND GIVE YOUR LIFE TO HIM. BELIEVE IT !/JAA

I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20