You Mean I Can't Go Around?

It seems everywhere I turn these days someone I know is going through a trial. These trials range from incoveniences to frustrations to major health issues. Judy and I are not immune from trials as we dealt heavily with work-related matters last summer that are still being resolved to this day. Most of it is out of our hands now and is in the place where we desire it most. With the Lord.

It seems in our fleshly state our first inclination is to say, "Lord, get me out of this mess and get me out yesterday. I don't have time to deal with this. Can't you see I've got my job, my family and my church life to deal with." And not only that the Bible says we are to go through our trials and to count it as all joy. Yea right.

The one thing that we can count on in our trials is that we don't have to go through them alone. God gave me this verse the other day listening to a radio station that often doesn't tune in well in my car. I wasn't surprised it came from the book of Isaiah, my favorite.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:2-3a NLT

The two words that catch my eye the most are "when" and "through". This verse is not saying if you go through deep waters and I will show you way around your problem. No, it's saying we are going to have issues and the way to face them is to go straight-ahead. Coming from someone like myself who is not always quick to address problems and issues (ask Judy) this is easier said than done. I have built up some lumpy rugs in our house over the years from the issues I've tried not to deal with.

But I can say in hindsight that when things are pushed through instead of trying to go around the back door the satisfaction of passing a trial is so much greater. I do know that if I don't pass my trial or test, God being the great God He is, will give me a do-over and it's the kind of make-up test I don't want. I only want to go through the school of hard-knocks once.

Once the test is passed our character is being refined and we continue to grow in the image of Christ. Look at any trials and tests that have come your way recently. How did you respond? Did you trust in the Lord and lean on Him to see you through it or did you curse Him and ask how he could do this to you.

Perhaps you're in a place where things are going okay for you and no big devlopments need addressed. Maybe it's time to look around you and see if there is someone you can minister to. Possbibly the Lord has taken you through a storm and He wants you to help someone else. A "pay it forward" kind of experience.

I can't speak strong enough to the pleasure it is to walk with someone through a trial they are going through. The Lord has given Judy a ministry of listening, praying, compassion and offering insight into the struggles and issues that many women are dealing with. Sometimes, we tackle things together if it's a couple that need counseling and I think we get greater pleasure walking along with someone than dealing with our own stuff. And I don't mean better their problems than ours.

It's just a humbling matter to be asked by God to be there for someone and help with there struggles. It definitely takes the focus off of me and puts it right on God and doing His will. So if you're going through stuff right now, you're not alone. God hasn't left you and He won't forsake you. We might not understand why, but we have to trust that He does and if we walk with Him through it, He will be glorified.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!!