Today's Scripture:
For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
~2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT)
Toda's story is about Hannah Whitall Smith. She and her husband were both raised by Quaker families, but decided to leave that particular faith. Hannah's parents said she was a "renegade" and told her to leave. Regardless of their rejection, Hanna wrote, "...like an outcast from my earthly father's house. But not from my heavenly Father's house." Now, I have no clue why Hannah left or whether or not her decision was the best one, but maybe it was God's intention for her to leave. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have written her book The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life (among others). The most important thing is she didn't walk away from God, she just approached Him in a different way--a way that helped her have a closer relationship with Him.
Metal is heated, beaten, and plunged into cold water as part of the process to make a strong piece of steel. In the same way, trials are necessary to develop a strong Christian.
Do you feel beaten by testing? Allow these trials to drive you to Christ. Though not pleasant now, in years to come you will see these as necessary to build your Christian character.
Tests are a part of everyone's life, particularly a Christian's. I know I get tested. And yes, there are certain things I get tested on more often... still walking around a few mountains. And while these tests can be daunting--some more than others--I know that they are helping to shape me into a better person. God wouldn't let me go through any trying situation if He didn't love me. Good parents carefully correct their children's behavior because they love them and want the best for them. I know I get frustrated at times and take another lap around, but I need to remember that it's the tough times in life that bring me closer to God. I'm never alone in my trials. Jesus went through the ultimate tests for me, and He is with me every step of the way. Jesus paid the ultimate price for me because He loves me, and the knowledge of that one fact alone should be enough to get anyone through ANY test
no matter what!
God, I thank You for putting me through all of these tests. I know that I rarely (if ever) seem grateful at the time, but I know that You are using them to teach me to be more like Your Son Jesus Christ. To quote a very good movie, "Whatever You do, You do because You love me." At the time of some of the tests, I would have liked it if they weren't so long or arduous, but in retrospect, I wouldn't change anything (except maybe my attitude through it all). But God, You were with me. Your Son Jesus was with me. The Holy Spirit was with me. You always WILL be with me! And I know that whatever comes my way, You will see me through it and make me a better, stronger, more equipped daughter of Christ too!
Thank You so much, God, for all of the blessings You have given to me, my family, and my friends. Please guide me in all of Your ways, Jesus, each and every day; teach me how to be a better person. I love You so much, God, and I want to do whatever You have planned for me because I KNOW that it's going to be good! I want to serve You, God, by serving others and making even a small piece of the world a little bit better place. Thank You, thank You, with all my heart. In Jesus' precious name, Amen!
Love and God Bless,
M.C.
P.S. Happy 100th post! Woot woot! ;) May God make it possible for me to write a few hundred more! :D
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