I recently spoke about a topic that is so real and close to all of us, dealing with life’s trials, storms, painful experiences you fill in the ___________. The issue of trials has been one that I have had to learn to overcome in my lifetime. I have been to the funeral of both of my parents and have had to learn to cope with having a son that I may never have a conversation with about life, purpose, girls…..
Some principles I will share with you are: Bad things can happen to good people. Even worse bad things can happen to godly people.
Some thoughts from a recent message:
1. Pain is everywhere. All you have to do is turn on the TV and watch the news. There are people dying of starvation, innocent people are killed everyday because of war, violence, terrorism and divorce is at an all-time high.
We must come to understand that pain in life is not punishment from God–Good people suffer and experience loss and tragedy everyday. All of us at one time or another will have to deal with pain & suffering. Pain strikes us without any warning or concern for what we have planned– you simply cannot escape pain.
Someone once said you are either going into a trial, coming out of a trial or are in the midst of a trial. Pain Happens.
2. Pain builds character. Some of the toughest times in our lives are when we become the most reliant on God which in return causes us to become more Christ-like. James 1:2-4 tells us about persevering under difficult trials and as result receiving spiritual maturity. You are who you are because of trials and tough situations you have been in throughout your life. This is one reason why we should respect and honor the Builder Generation or the “World War 2 Generation”, this group of adults has seen some of the toughest days America has ever experienced and as a result they are people of great character and honor!
3. God helps us during our pain. One thing that is comforting is a life that is dedicated to Christ is a life that will not suffer alone. Why do we bother going to church and not just watch it on TV? Simply put we need to share life with each other whether it is good or bad. The Christian life does not promise to be pain free but it does promise a partnership with the God of the entire Cosmos!
One day we will be in a place with no pain check out Revelation 21:4.
When a situation happens in life that causes you to question God make sure you do not go beyond questioning Him which can lead to rebellion. Trust God even when you do not know all the answers.
One problem I have seen over the years is people who confuse God with life; if they become disappointed with life they become disappointed with God too. If life is not going good they automatically decide that God is not good. Jesus made it quite clear that each of us will experience trouble in this lifetime. Job tells us that “man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.”
So what do we do?
1. Rely on the promises of God
2. Surround yourself with family and friends who love you.
3. Allow yourself to go through the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
4. Keep your eyes on the Saviour and not the storm
5. Converse and pray to God–share with Him how you feel even if you are mad. He already knows He is Omniscient.
Are you in a relationship with God through his Son Jesus Christ?
This is all so true…and very encouraging
By: Jade Galloway on March 20, 2009
at 9:16 pm
Jody this is great! It is exactly what Ronnie and I need right now. We are going thru some really tough trials and the one thing that we cling to is Gods word. It is allot easier said than done to trust God when you don’t know the outcome or when things are tough, but it is something that we are getting better at each and everyday. Thanks you for this. Keep up the good work:)
By: Hannah on March 20, 2009
at 11:47 pm