There are many who talk about the journey of life being in our control. The New Age mantras talk of the Law of Attraction and the "fact" that we create our own destiny. We make ourselves sick and we can make ourselves well. There are evangelists and pastors who preach the gospel of prosperity, and tell us that if we desire it, we can have it because God's favor is upon His children. Just think positive! Just believe. There are others who say it is an honor to "suffer" for God. They may see God in His kitchen, dumping a quart of sorrow, a cup or two of trials, and a few drops of joy into His big blender in the sky~ when it is all blended together, out pours our life. If you get the mixture with more sorrow than others, be thankful. You are blessed to suffer for God. My husband, among others, believes that mostly because we live in a fallen world, there is suffering. The question might not be, "Why me?"...but... "Why not me."
More than likely in some degree or another, the reasons for our trials and sorrows lie in all the above. Sometimes our choices cause us undo suffering, sometimes the fallen world dumps junk on us, and some of our trials are to teach us and glorify God. I don't believe God mixes up a blender full for each life, but He does allow suffering to occur in our lives. I don't understand all the whys, and am not sure I ever will or need to while here on earth. Trusting God means we don't need to have all the answers.
What we can do during times of trials is talk to God about them, sharing our honest feelings, praying for healing, for release, and for understanding. We can spend our time focusing on His love for us, His promises given in Scriptures, and deliberately search out and identify all the joys of each and every day. We can wake up each day and say, "Good morning Lord!" or we can say, "Good Lord, it's morning!" That is a choice we do have control over.
Yes, life is pretty much a blend of sorrows, trials, and joys. Along the way we are blessed not to be on this journey alone, for God often says in His Word,
"And lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world."
Matthew 28:20
Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or share one. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/
23 comments:
What a glorious post. I especially love "Trusting God means we don't have to have all the answers." I'm going to write that down & use as a bookmark. Thank you for sharing your heart today! Hugs ~ Merana
Storming the heavens for so many who are in the midst of numerous trials!
Hugs,
andrea
Thank you for this inspiring post. you are so right.. in times of trial, we can spend time with God and talk to Him!!
A timely post, as so many seem to be suffering these days. There are trials of many kinds; grief over losses in our lives. Thanks for sharing some encouragemnt for Spiritual Sunday!
Hi Renee,
This is a very interesting post and one that is really thought provoking...One thing that is very interesting in the New Age realm is that if something does go wrong in someone's life, people in that sphere don't think, "Oh, I feel so bad and I'm sorry to hear it." Rather, they think, "Hmmm, you must not have been thinking positive enough!" Interesting, huh?
I do believe that our thoughts shape our lives in that if we dwell on the negative, it brings more our way. But, if we wake up grateful for what is in our lives and focus on blessings, we just find more to be thankful about!
Hugs,
Cindy
Hi Renee,
This is my first visit to your blog and I'm so very happy that I read this post. I think trusting God is easy when I know the outcome is a favorable one for me. Trusting God when I don't know the outcome or should the outcome reveal itself as unfavorable to me, becomes far more difficult.
I was meditating and thinking on the affirmation given to king Nebuchadnezzar by Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego:
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods..."
This takes a commitment level of trust that has to affirm that what happens in my life is not relevant because, I trust God with my life and the outcome of events that will occur.
I see this as saying that God gives me opportunities to demonstrate my faith and trust in Him.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
it's so true...that life is so tough at times...Trusting....a few of us have posted on that subject today....Praying for you...to be strong....to feel His peace...to know He's there running with you...and will never ever ever let go. hugs to you Renee.
Hi Renee. This is my first visit to your blog too. I'm also in the autumn season of my life, and it's not ANYTHING like I thought it would be. I'm grateful to have the perspective of many years of the Lord walking with me, so when the trials come I now know He'll get me through them. Blessings to you and your family.
This is the second post I've read today with the question, "why not me?"
A lot of wisdom in your post, Renee. Thank you for sharing today.
Blessings,
Joan
I give up the right to understand everything! God bless you.
What a wonderful comfort knowing that the journey is not being traveled alone. So glad you stopped by Places of my Heart.
I am your newest reader.
IN HIM,
Karen
No we don't understand it all but we are comforted with the fact that He is with us. He is still a very present help in a time of trouble. Thanks for a great post!
Hello Rene, yes I believe "all things work together for good."
That includes illness. If all Christian had a perfect and healthy life how could we ever reach out with love or empathy to an unsaved person. I am newly diagnosed with diabetes, its been hard but, an eye opener. God Bless.
Renee
I am so blessed, inspired, and encouraged by this post. I agree with all that you have shared, and so well written. I try to greet my Lord everyday with a "Good Morning".
Enjoy this beautiful Sunday,
Blessings,
Sue
Thank you for such a lovely post. And thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog. I hope you will visit again.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
Your message is both reassuring and a comfort, Renee! I love the analogy of the blender!
I certainly agree with you, Renee. There are so many things we will never understand in this life so the important thing is to trust and believe that God is in control and everything will come out right in the end.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Hi Renee,
So nice to meet you and thank you for visiting me....I love your post today! So true...just nice to trust Him...knowing He is ever faithful!!
Hugs, Carolyn ~ Cottage Sunshine
G'day Renee ~ What a lovely write ... inspiring & lifting.
Have a beautiful week.
TTFN ~ Marydon
This is so true. There are times in my life when everything is going so beautiful that I start to prayer harder because I don't want anything to change.
Thank-you so much for this thought provoking post today.
God Bless,
Ginger
Dear Renee,
There is a lot of wisdom in this post and we would be wise to concentrate on our Savior's love and sacrifice for us and the verse that you quoted, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world."
Thank you,
Dianne
What a perfect post for me to be reading tonight. I have so much on my mind,but you have reminded me to put my faith in God through all the joys and trials...my "blender" of up and downs.
This was well spoken, Renee. How I appreciate your words and know that there was a reason I made the time to finally stop in here tonight.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Jan Lyn
Post a Comment