January 23 It ain’t gonna be easy!

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Did you think everything would go your way as soon as you turned over your life to God? Many Christians think that everything should be easy for them. After all, they are following Jesus. Won’t He pour out blessings upon them? Jesus warned us that it would not be easy.

James 1:2-4 says of Trials and Temptations, “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Is that the attitude you take toward trials? Do you consider it pure joy? I know I don’t. I am just learning to accept challenges as lessons. I ask what God is trying to teach me through this event? After all, it is not happening to me; it is happening for me! In Romans 5, it says Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. God uses these challenges to refine us. A kite only flies high when it flies against the wind. Only in adversity are we strengthened. If everything is easy, we do not build strength, skill and persistence. God disciplines those He loves. If He did not care about you, He would let you do whatever you want because He doesn’t care how it turns out. By caring, He wants what is best for you and will lead you in the narrow way which will bring you good things.

I am not yet at a place where I can consider it pure joy. I don’t know if I will ever be at that place. But I am learning to look for the lesson, the silver lining in the rain cloud. I think that is what God wants us to do. He wants us to stay in faith through the trial and learn something from the challenge. What do you face today? Did you lose something you needed? Have you been overlooked for a promotion? Did someone else get an opportunity you thought should be yours? Ask God to show you why this was not His timing. Be patient. God has something far better in line for you. Remain calm and wait for the good He is longing to bring to you! He has overcome the world all for you!

Lord, You said we would have trouble in this world. Help us to recognize that the trouble in this world prepares us for the blessing in Your Kingdom. Show us the lesson You are trying to teach us. Refine to be who You designed us to be. In Your name we pray! Amen!

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