Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
This video was a part of our sermon this past Sunday. It spoke volumes to me and I want to share it with you.
There are times in life when we are dealt the unexpected. Losing a job. Losing a loved one. A failing marriage. Cancer or other health concern. The list can go on and on. Our challenge comes in how we handle our unexpected. And you don't have to be in a deep pit of sin to experience a trial in your life. The bible is weaved with great examples of those doing the right thing and still experiencing an unexpected. Job 1:1 states Job was blameless and upright. A man who feared God and shunned evil. Mary and Martha when Lazarus died. Hannah and Samuel.
Remember when life brings you the unexpected:
1. Do not take anything for granted.
Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
2. God's love penetrates the unexpected.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. God is refining you.
Zachariah 13:9 This third I will bring into the fire;
I will refine them like silver
and test them like gold.
They will call on my name
and I will answer them;
I will say, 'They are my people,'
and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.' "
I once learned that when the refiners would refine sliver, they knew it was done in the fire when you could see your reflection in it. When all the impurities and flaws were melted away and all that was left was the pure reflective ore. In the same token, God allows us to go through the fire He is burning all the impurities and flaws out of our lives. He is allowing us to become so pure that all we can do is be a reflection of Him.
4. We don't know the outcome, but we can expect it to be good.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
There are times in my life where I felt broken and hopeless. But as I look back now, I see where God was still there and He was still working. This is where our faith is tested. It's hard to believe in the future when it is uncertain, but according to Hebrews 12:2 God is the author and perfecter of our faith. He knows the outcome and He is in control in the chaos.
5. You can't make it on your own.
Philippians 4:10-14
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
How many times in life do we lay it down on the altar of God only to pick it back up and carry it ourselves? We can not do it without the help of our Lord. I personally believe contentment is not possible apart from God himself. The world can not supply our needs, a person can not supply our needs, a job, a child, material things, can not supply our needs. (relational, spiritual, or even physical needs). Only God is all sufficient.
6. Time; it is God's.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
God's timing is perfect. There are times in my life when I want it right now. We are a right now society. Now, now now. But God is always teaching us to wait upon Him. I can site many examples in my life where things did not work out in the time I had wanted but they worked out in God's time and hindsight shows He was right all along.
7. God is faithful.
Psalm 146: 5-6
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.
The Lord keeps His promises. He is faithful. He proves himself over and over. He is unchanged. He is our hope. He is our song. He is Maker of heaven and earth. He is our "I am". I love that name He gives Himself: I am. You can fill the blank with anything. I am ________. And He just is.
What ever your unexpected, whatever your trial. Whatever season of life you are in right now....this too shall pass. God will lead you through to the other side and you will be victorious. Our pastor challenged us to write our unexpected on a helium balloon. (He had them all around the sanctuary). But to write it like this:
I am thankful for ___________.
I had 2 this season of my life. I am thankful for my anxiety. And I am thankful for my neck. (I seem to have done something to my neck. It is stiff and sore for going on 3 days now. It hurts to speak, it hurts to swallow my food. The pain is beginning to radiate into my arm on occasion.) Lately I have not been immune to the devil's attacks in my life. He is firing at me on all sides. But through the pain, through the anxiety, through the death of my husband's grandfather... I choose to praise His name. I choose to be thankful for these trials. I choose to stand in the Lord's army with the full armor of God. I choose to because I know He is faithful and this too shall pass!
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