God's Glory on Display in Your Trial
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly (Philippians 1:12-14)."
Paul's situation was not good. He was in a prison in Rome. He could have complained and asked the question, 'Is this fair?' but instead of complaining he in essence asked the question, 'Is this prison I am in accomplishing something for God?' Our perspective is extremely important as we go through adversity-and we will all go through adversity in our lives. The key when going through difficult seasons is remembering who is in control-God. He is in control at all times and He wants to work in and through you in the midst of your pain. Your suffering is never wasted in the hands of the Father. Let's face it, none of us like to go through adversity. We want an instant fix to the heartache, trial or pain. But God will use the very situation that brings you much pain to further the gospel and to draw others to Himself as they see the light of Christ shine through you.
You see, we were created by God, for God. It is really that simple. Our purpose is not to advance our career, get more material things, make more money or further our education. While these things are good things, our purpose is to know Christ and make Him known. When we come to the end of our lives, it won't matter how much "stuff" we've acquired or what title we've held, what will matter is what we have done for the kingdom. Do people see Jesus in you? Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20)."
It is important to have a kingdom mindset. By that I mean, view everything in light of eternity. The good times, the bad times, they all first pass through God's loving hands and we can point others to Jesus by how we respond to our circumstances. Mountaintop experiences are great, but it is in the valleys of life where we learn and grow like never before. Difficult seasons have a tendency to cause us to examine ourselves. Difficult seasons cause us to realize that we cannot do it on our own. Difficult seasons cause us to cry out to God like never before. Difficult seasons are never pleasant. "No 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 (Hebrews 12:11)."
You may be going through a very painful trial right now. One that you see no human way out of. Hold on my friend, there is hope! That hope is found only in Jesus. As you look to Him, He will fill you with His peace-the peace that passes all human understanding. Peace that fills your soul and gives you joy in spite of what you are going through. Peace in knowing that it is going to be okay because you stand in Christ and because God will never, ever leave you. Because God is sovereign, there are no coincidences and nothing happens by chance. Whatever your situation is right now, know dear one, that God has not abandoned you. He loves you with an everlasting love. This season will not last. You will get though it and when you are on the other side of it, God can use you to minister to others going through similar circumstances. He will work it all out for your good and His glory."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. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified (Romans 8:28-30)."
Keep your eyes on Jesus and let His light shine through you. He will give you the grace and strength you need for each day. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)."
Paul's situation was not good. He was in a prison in Rome. He could have complained and asked the question, 'Is this fair?' but instead of complaining he in essence asked the question, 'Is this prison I am in accomplishing something for God?' Our perspective is extremely important as we go through adversity-and we will all go through adversity in our lives. The key when going through difficult seasons is remembering who is in control-God. He is in control at all times and He wants to work in and through you in the midst of your pain. Your suffering is never wasted in the hands of the Father. Let's face it, none of us like to go through adversity. We want an instant fix to the heartache, trial or pain. But God will use the very situation that brings you much pain to further the gospel and to draw others to Himself as they see the light of Christ shine through you.
You see, we were created by God, for God. It is really that simple. Our purpose is not to advance our career, get more material things, make more money or further our education. While these things are good things, our purpose is to know Christ and make Him known. When we come to the end of our lives, it won't matter how much "stuff" we've acquired or what title we've held, what will matter is what we have done for the kingdom. Do people see Jesus in you? Jesus said, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20)."
It is important to have a kingdom mindset. By that I mean, view everything in light of eternity. The good times, the bad times, they all first pass through God's loving hands and we can point others to Jesus by how we respond to our circumstances. Mountaintop experiences are great, but it is in the valleys of life where we learn and grow like never before. Difficult seasons have a tendency to cause us to examine ourselves. Difficult seasons cause us to realize that we cannot do it on our own. Difficult seasons cause us to cry out to God like never before. Difficult seasons are never pleasant. "No 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 (Hebrews 12:11)."
You may be going through a very painful trial right now. One that you see no human way out of. Hold on my friend, there is hope! That hope is found only in Jesus. As you look to Him, He will fill you with His peace-the peace that passes all human understanding. Peace that fills your soul and gives you joy in spite of what you are going through. Peace in knowing that it is going to be okay because you stand in Christ and because God will never, ever leave you. Because God is sovereign, there are no coincidences and nothing happens by chance. Whatever your situation is right now, know dear one, that God has not abandoned you. He loves you with an everlasting love. This season will not last. You will get though it and when you are on the other side of it, God can use you to minister to others going through similar circumstances. He will work it all out for your good and His glory."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. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified (Romans 8:28-30)."
Keep your eyes on Jesus and let His light shine through you. He will give you the grace and strength you need for each day. "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)."
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