When The Door Slams
"Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning." Job 11:13-17 NIV
Sometimes you are made to pass through a valley of suffering, and more often than not, it has to do with family issues, financial crises, or health problems. At the time, you may not even be certain that you will survive. It looks like you will fall. Perhaps you disobeyed God or you acted rashly or inconsiderately to others, and now the consequences of your actions are rising like floodwaters around you. Or perhaps problems have come upon you for no fault of your own.
Yet, difficult as your circumstances may be and difficult as it might be to believe it, soon enough you will be laughing again and will forget your troubles. They will be as waters that have evaporated away. David said of God, "For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5 NIV). It is vital to remember when passing through tests that God's favor lasts your entire lifetime, His discipline, by contrast, is usually brief.
God doesn't get any pleasure out of causing His children to suffer, yet some Christians have been led to believe that God is primarily focused on holiness, indignation, and punishment. God does allow suffering. true, but it usually only lasts long enough to bring about good in your life. "The LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones" (Isaiah 49:13 NIV).
Think about this: Will you trust in the wisdom of fallible men and women, or will you place your faith in God's perfect wisdom? When you decide whom to trust you will then know how best to respond to the challenges of the coming day.
Are you tired? Discouraged? Fearful? Be comforted and trust God. Are you worried or anxious? Be confident in God's power and trust His Holy Word. Are you confused? Listen to the quiet voice of your heavenly Father. He is not a God of confusion. Talk with Him; listen to Him. He is steadfast, and He is your Protector, now and forever. The more God's wisdom enters our hearts, the more we will be able to trust our hearts in difficult situations.
Renewal: Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction (Proverbs 16:22-23). Whatever I do, whether in word or in deed, may I do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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