Have
you noticed that this year’s journey of getting to know God better has been
more about what to do in times of suffering and trials than in anything else? I’ve
walked through Sheri’s writings and mine as well, separated the thoughts to
some extent but it all boils down to one thing: “If you want to know God, then you must be
willing to suffer as He allows it in your life.”
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the
power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death.
1Pe
2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be
buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well,
and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with
God.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Her
face crinkled up and the tears began to flow and would not stop! I just let her
cry. She needed to let it flow and when she gained a little strength, she
turned to me and said, “What in the world am I going to do, Sharon?” I just
didn’t know what to say and had no words but prayed, “Lord, please answer this
woman through me, if You will.”
You
know, when you don’t know what to do, God does! Sounds simple doesn’t it, but I
can attest that it is very, very difficult to trust the Lord when all the
bricks are stacked so high and ready to fall at any one moment. It is easy to
say, “Well, sister, have faith in God,” and in our hearts we DO believe that
way, but sometimes people just need more. They need a miracle of intervention,
quickly. God knows our need, doesn’t He? Then, what do we do as we pray with
and for people?
We
believe for them! We pray with them and we sit with them until God says it is
time to go. We are so busy in our lives that we do not offer the time people
need to make that initial step of faith to make it one more day. And not only that, sometimes people need to
know that you and I will stay with them through the hardest, darkest night of
their life.
May I
ask you, “When was the last time you stayed with someone until God walked
through the door with an answer?” Does it depend on that person’s faith before
you leave, or does it depend on God and God alone? It is difficult and takes
much stamina to do this. As you walk with God getting to know Him you are able
to know also when it is time to depart allowing the person that time alone with
God. Common sense joined with Godly sense need to be in step with one another.
Pushing ourselves on people is not a good thing either, wouldn’t you agree? God
will show you if you listen to Him and not self. I’ve seen people who are not
wise and make decisions for others but it caused more problems for the hurting
one and the family. I believe the center of our thinking should be the one in
need and not OUR NEED to “do something.”
Listen,
pray and believe God for the next step. Listen to them as they try to sort out the situation. Pray when they can’t. Believe, when
they are not able at that moment. Read God’s promises and then share as God
gives them to you. They are in touch with God most likely in their suffering,
but the hurting soul may need time to look up and see God sitting beside them.
Walk with them if God directs, but don’t push them as they may not be ready to
move on.
I prayed
with her sharing God’s Word. She called the next morning as the situation had
not changed, but she had. She admitted to being more able to trust God today,
than she did yesterday. This dear sweet woman was learning to walk by faith
looking to commit herself “to him that judgeth righteously.”
Jesus’
situation got worse, didn’t it? And so, ours may, but we must be willing to
walk in His steps if we are ever to “KNOW Him better” and that is difficult,
friend, very difficult. Are you willing?
This
blog may seem full of gloom and doom, but you know as well as I, God is not only
good, but He is Good ALL THE TIME. The blessings of this life far outweigh the
trials that face us each day. Take advantage of those times and rejoice in the
Lord always…always….always….!!!!
Php
4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I
say, Rejoice.
Sharon
thanks -- great council
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