No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3
There’s a school of thought that suggests we would complain less if we knew that our trials are by ‘Divine Design’ . We who are His know that all things work together for good ( Romans 8:28) and that all our days were ordained by Him (Psalm 139:16 ). It therefore stands to reason that as painful as some of our life experiences may be, He has never been caught off guard. He is Lord over everything seen and unseen, things above the earth, things on the earth and things beneath the earth. He is well aware of everything and the times and seasons are in His hands. He does not plan evil for us (Jeremiah 29:11) but in His infinite wisdom, He allows us to pass through bitter waters. Sometimes the hardships come because we have walked in disobedience. At other times, we suffer at the hand of the wicked simply because they are wicked. We may be faithful in our walk yet we may find ourselves living the Job experience so His glory may be seen.
The journey can be hard at times but I was taught to praise in the midst of the trials. Not only does this glorify Him but it helps keep our minds off the present problem. As we trust Him, we learn to smile in sorrow, rejoice in rejection and praise Him in the pain. When we look back on the path that has brought us to Him, we can clearly see that it was His grace that sustained us. We may be clueless as to what tomorrow brings, but we have the assurance that He is already there. The tunnel may seem dark and long but if we focus in the right direction, we will see that the Light is right there with us and that He is more than able to guide us through the rough patches.
Some of us may find ourselves in a place where worship does not come easily. Our eyes may have been blurred by the constant buffeting of the waves. May I encourage you today? If you can’t find the words to tell Him your heart, pray His words back to Him!
You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light – Psalm 18: 27-28; Vindicate me, LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered. Test me LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness – Psalm 26:1-3; I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD – Psalm 27:13-14.
The deliverance may not come at the time we hope but He will honour His words.
If today you are walking in the victory He promised, share this testimony with someone else. Your words may help them to overcome a hurdle or two. Your testimony could be the first stepping stone to another’s triumph. Your victory may encourage them to hold on till their deliverance comes. Remind them to wait on the Lord and leave all the cares at His feet. Our ‘hearts and flesh may fail’ but His word is everlasting.
Wherever you are in the journey, I pray His peace would be yours today. His design is perfect and none of our experiences are wasted.
Father, thank You for the different stages of development that You take me through.
Sometimes You call me to walk through dark places. They are dark, but I am thankful that I am not walking alone. You are with me, Your angels surround me and You have raised up strong support in the brothers and sisters I have in You.
I love the mountaintop experiences. I would like to camp there, but I know that’s where You feed me for the next leg of the journey. While I am in this ‘elevated’ state, I can see those around me who are bowing under the pressure. Help me to stand alongside them and share the testimony of how You brought me through the dark times, to the glory of Your name.
I choose to believe that You are God in the high places and in the low places. I choose to trust Your direction regardless of where I find myself. I yield my life to Your ‘Divine Design’ for Your name’s sake. My circumstances do not change the fact that You are God and You are in charge of everything I am and everything I dare dream to be.
Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R
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Pat
Amen,amen my sister this is so very good and on time for real! You said: “But if we focus in the right direction, we will see that the Light is right there with us and that He is more than able to guide us through the rough patches”. And that is the key to every trial and tribulation,keeping our eye’s focused on the one who suffered the most and never gave up,but Jesus constantly looked to His Heavenly Father,and His Heavenly Home.
Love you 😀 😀
Ann
Sister Pat,
I just came from your blog… I cannot find the words to speak my heart.
May His name be glorified. Thank you for sharing / encouraging/ blessing in the midst of your furnace.
Blessings,
ann
(P.S. – this was not the post I intended to share today. God’s timing is perfect…)
Debbie
Love Pat’s ever enthusiastic comments! Thank you sis Pat!
And Ann full of Jesus grace . . .He must really want me to get this. You know, at times I’m there, I get it , I praise in the pain. But sometimes, I fall from that place. I’ve done that lately and can’t figure out why and what’s wrong with me. So I’ll just keep asking for forgiveness and turning away from that temptation to complain or see things negatively. Thank you so much for helping me do that today!
God bless you and your worshipful heart!
Ann
God bless you too, Dearest Delightful Deb
I had been away for a few days and fell behind in my reading. After I read what Paulette, Bee and Pat wrote, my heart breaks. I am thankful that He used this to bless you. May His name be glorified as we learn to walk as He leads… So thankful I don’t have to walk alone.
I appreciate you, Deb. Thanks for being the encourager you are..
Blessings,
ann
Barbee
Blessed Ann, you wrote, “Your testimony could be the first stepping stone to another’s triumph.”
You spoke to my heart with this post. There are some days I’m not so sure I should be sharing my story, but I would love to be the vehicle that helps someone turn closer to God, so I will continue. It really helps to receive encouragement from you.
You are an awesome writer…God bless you…
Bee
Ann
God bless you too, Dear Bee
Praying He will continue to strengthen you as you share… many need to hear how He came through for you so they can have hope.
Thankful this gift could be used this way. I praise His name.
Blessings again and again.
ann
Moore to ponder
It’s true. This is such a great post. Thank you for sharing it!
Blessings,
Theresa
Ann
Most welcome, Theresa
Bless His name!
Blessings,
ann
pbus1
Hello Ann,
Truly, our God is an awesome God! He is omniscient, He is omnipotent, and omnipresent! I read that this article was not what you intended to post this week. Isn’t that just like God? He knows what we have need of, when we have need of it, then He supplies that need! It’s been difficult to read several posts recently, without tears flowing from my eyes! This post was no exception. 🙂 Like Barbee, this post spoke to my heart! Thank you so much, for the encouraging words! Even though I don’t understand the fiery trials and tribulations, there is such an assurance in my heart, that God is working it for my good, by “Divine Design.” Thank you for being obedient to the leading of the Lord!
“I am so glad, that in spite of all of my suffering from illnesses, I have a heartfelt praise for the Lord! I know that it is God who is giving me the strength to go through these trials and tribulations!” I retrieved this portion of a comment from Margaret’s blog. Earlier this morning, this was my response to one of her posts, and it seemed to fit perfectly here! God is truly moving by His Spirit. The latter part of Pat’s comment sums it up very well! The icing on the cake was the video you included in one of your comments. That is one of my favorite songs. Thank you for that.
God bless you, Ann! Also, thank you for the prayer!
Paulette
Ann
Praising Him alongside you, Minister Paulette!
He is worthy indeed! His timing is so different from ours but I’ll take His way any day! (
“I am so glad, that in spite of all of my suffering from illnesses, I have a heartfelt praise for the Lord! I know that it is God who is giving me the strength to go through these trials and tribulations!”
We continue to pray for your strength as you go through this journey. It may be long but it cannot last forever!
Lovely song indeed! I’ve fallen on that more times than I can count. It has buoyed me during many a storm.
Thanks for the link. Heading over to Margaret’s
Praising / Praying with you!
ann
jelillie
A-men! A-men! and A-men! Your words have bouyed me in the midst of my battle Ann. The victory is mine. It is established in the Heavenlies I am only waiting for it to manifest in the earthly!
Ann
God bless you, Pastor J
The victory is indeed yours! He will see you through 🙂
May His name be lifted high as we support and encourage each other in Him. Our God is so awesome and worthy of our praise!
Blessings
ann
P.S – Lots of life jackets floating around! Thankful for the opportunity we have to freely and openly lend our voices in support of each other to the glory of His name!
Linda
I have had those moments where grace has sustained me… where I could smile in the face of fear and trepidation and keep turning it over to Him.
Other times, I look back on those days and just can’t bring it back… those feelings of complete contentment and faith in spite of it all.
I turn to Jeremiah 29 alot. And through experience and the words of others, I know this is true. Need to pray more, study more, fuss less.
Hugs to you… great lesson. : )
Ann
Hugs back at ya, dear Linda
Praying His strength for those other moments.
“Need to pray more, study more, fuss less.”
Don’t we all 🙂
Loren has a wonderful series on now. He’s up to part 5 but the reading is easy. Check in when you have a moment. http://answersfromthebook.org/2011/06/23/how-to-study-the-bible-part-1/
Blessings,
ann
bendedspoon
If not for the trials I wouldn’t have felt victorious. Grateful that He won me! His love brings me a silent strength and my surrendering signals the falling of blessings. Love this post and you Ann 🙂
Ann
Hi Princess,
Welcome back!
“His love brings me a silent strength and my surrendering signals the falling of blessings”
wonderfully said as only you could, O Poetic One
May His peace be yours as you yield to His will.
Blessings in abundance to you too!!
‘Strengthened in surrender’ ,
ann
kenisha
Sis A,read your post and I thank God for using you in such a timely manner.
All I can do is pray.
Father,I thank you that you have called me with a holy calling,not according to my works,but according to your purpose and grace.I know that your plan for me existed before I knew you and despite the fiery trials you will bring it to pass.Help me to walk worthy of the calling with which I was called.I know there is an appointed plan for me,and as hard as situtions gets,you’re grace will sustain me because I have a destiny that now will be fulfilled.
Lord,help me to understand the call you have on my life.Take away any discouragement I may feel and replace it with joyful anticipation of what you are going to do through me.Use me as your instrument to make a positive difference in the lives of those whom you put in my path.Help me to rest in the confidence of knowing that whatever happens in my life is a part of your design.I know that all things work together for good,to those who love you and is called according to your purpose.
Lord,thank you for hearing my prayer.I pray that it touches the life of someone,somewhere.Keep leading and I will follow.
Kenisha
Ann
Thank you for that beautiful prayer, Sister K
May His name be glorified as we trust Him to lead.
Blessings,
ann
meetingintheclouds
It is sometimes difficult to understand “why” but in my case it helps to trust when I look backwards. I can look back on the times of trial and praise God for them because I see His hand in control all the way through them. They were the means of great spiritual growth for me and while they were difficult at the time, they were blessings in disguise. Because of them – and because I know my Father only desires the very best for me – I can trust Him with whatever comes.
Angela
Ann
Amen, Angela
” They were the means of great spiritual growth for me and while they were difficult at the time, they were blessings in disguise”
I must confess, I don’t always see it but I am learning!
God bless you and thanks for leaving this with us.
Thankful,
ann
Loren
There is nothing which comes our way that God has not either caused to happen or has allowed to happen; either way, He is in control. The Lord has really been working with me on this, thanks for the wonderfully written post, Ann 🙂
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Is. 46:9-10, emphasis added)
The trials of this life might catch us by surprise, but not Him.
God bless you, Ann,
Loren
Ann
Blessings to you too , Loren.
“There is nothing which comes our way that God has not either caused to happen or has allowed to happen; either way, He is in control”
Thanks for adding more depth with those verses. He truly is in control!
Blessings much,
ann