I am constantly amazed by my creator. How time and time I can fail and fall on my face, and he's always right there to pick me up.
Many people reading my blog have commented on the struggles that I've been going through. Tonight, my Lord spoke familiar words to me that resonated in my heart....
Hebrews 12:7-12
7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
My paraphrase : No pain, NO GAIN.
We sang a song today too that was so beautiful - again familiar, however, I found my heart singing, crying out to God in worship and praise -
If our God is with us, that what could ever stop us, and if our God is with us, than what can stand against?
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other, our God is healer, awesome in power - our God, our God
There is no one like you. None like YOU.
So, is this why there is peace that transcends all understanding - that the peace of Christ RULES our hearts when the storms come??? I am amazed by the peace that I have been blessed with - even in the storms, that my God is here - he is my refuge and my strength, so in whom shall I fear???
I remember too WHO the enemy is in my struggles -
Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I know that this battle belongs to the Lord. I can lay my burdens at his feet, I can rest in him knowing, trusting that he won't leave me nor forsake me. I know that when I cry out to him, that he hears me. I know that I can call out to him and seek him with all my heart, and that he will hear me, and he will take away my troubles in his time.
I end with praises - my God is so worthy of the praise and Glory - I deserve none. He has redeemed, restored, reconciled and healed me in more ways than I can imagine. He offers a tremendous amount of comfort, and even when the discipline comes, I know that he loves me, and that he is training me. I put my trust in him, because he's the only one worthy of my trust.
So, don't feel sad for me, don't feel sorry for me - yes, I am going through trials, and I'm working hard to get through this valley, however, I know who's got my back, who's walking by my side. This is not a sad place for me - it's a hard spot, but hard isn't bad. I appreciate that God still convicts me and keeps my heart tender and soft - mold-able for him to use.
ALL for his glory -
