Thursday, August 21, 2008

Hard times?


I was pondering…

Life is not all about smooth sailing.. nor all about suffering.. There’re times when you get really desperate and just cry out to God, telling Him how much you need Him..and how weak you are…

Is pain always a punishment? No.. for example, was God disciplining Job when Job suffered? Nope. God had already held up Job as a model of goodness as He told Satan that no one on earth is as blameless as Job…so why should God discipline a blameless person? Well..a person’s trial may, in fact, be used to win a great spiritual victory. Like how Job has trusted God in his darkest days when Satan insisted that he would curse God.. Maybe this is how people around you can see the strength God put in you and how God can help u make it through when you trust if we are like Job. So shall we give up and mourn all the time we face trials? Or shall we stay strong by the strength from God n rejoice? It’s hard.. it is…..

Pain always come with a purpose. Look at the pain Israel gone thru in the book of Isaiah, but God makes clear that this pain was not arbitrary and purposeless. Like childbirth, it’ll lead to sth happy and good. God also reaffirms that the suffering of Israelites will one day lead to a great missionary among all humanity. Think about the pain we’re bearing right now.. I believe there’s a purpose there.. you might not find it now.. but soon… you’ll understand why…many times I do not understand why things happened but each time I looked back.. I know that they bear different fruits.. patience..love…and many many others..

I always believe that sufferings, pains and afflictions are meant to make us strong. They happen as to mould us into an instrument that God can use for His purposes. I guess we all agree that these afflictions make us grow.. don’t they? It’s just that they are painful.. so we must learn to rejoice and ask God.. wad r the things He want us to learn from each of them.. instead of getting depressed. But often, we’ll just give in to depression and let emotions take over us fully. It’s difficult but by faith, I believe we all can do it!!! =D

Perseverance is what I need to have. -Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who loved Him.- James 1:12 This verse always encourage me the most. =D as God promised me a crown of life! So people.. Persevere but do not let Satan defeats you!

So now, we should be joyful though life’s difficult, hard..painful..as Romans 5:3 said that….but we also rejoice in our sufferings,, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. Pray for Holy spirit the comforter to comfort us when our heart breaks..

For whatever pain I’m feeling right at this moment, I know that it’s all for good..as Romans 8:28 says that..And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whoever been called according to his purpose.

Stay strong as God will be with us…Be honest with God and tell God today your innermost feelings, God knows you best..He truly understands.. Go to Him and rest in Him… Only Him can give you the comfort that ease you heart..

I’m happy that I have Him. =D