Trials Are Working For You

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,  while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18

    Pain is the precursor to change. We can stubbornly resist pain or we can ask God, what are you trying to teach me through this? I don't want to stiffen my neck Lord, what are you wanting to show me? When we submit to our trials  they can have their perfect work in our lives and achieve their divine purpose.

  The father of lies tells us God is not for us and we've made a mistake that has caused these trials, or afflictions. What are these momentary light afflictions? Walking through a painful marriage? Having to trust God with our kids? Financial problems crushing in on us? An unexpected illness? We are all going through the same trials but in different ways.

  John the Baptist ended up alone in a prison after preparing the way for Jesus and he sent word to Jesus asking if He is the one we have been looking for or not? The trials he was walking through and I believe, the voice of the enemy,(Where is your God?), had challenged his faith. Jesus sent word back about all the wonderful things that were happening and told John, "Blessed is the man who is not offended in me."

We get offended in the way God runs his business. We are suddenly in a humbled place, unnoticed and disregarded and we begin to question God's plan.

When we let go and serve others and don't try to exalt ourselves but submit to God in our trials, then Christ will be glorified in us and have his way in our hearts. Then we will find peace in the midst of our trials and will be conformed to God's image and nature. That should be our ultimate goal....to be like our heavenly Father. Think about that as you begin your day, meditating on the fact that your trials are working for you and God is not playing games with your life.

 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
James 3:16-17