When the Challenges Come…

Make no mistake about it, even though there will more sunshine than rain – there is going to be rain. And sometimes that rain will come down in a tempest – heavy and harsh. When those times come and you have back-to-back challenges, take heart, God knows all about it:

^12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (The Message)

We love product, but we generally hate process. In order to become the diamonds that will make up God’s crowning glory, we are going to have to refined – it will sometimes hurt, it will sometimes be hot! Yet, there is nothing that we will go through that our Lord did not go through, and for purpose:

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10 (KJV)

If the captain of our salvation went through the process of suffering, so will we. By it we are made perfect:

⁸ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

⁹ And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews5:8-9 (KJV)

God’s ways are not our ways. Whereas we feel as if we are obedient children that should never face discipline – it shows that we are yet immature. When we rise to a level of maturity we understand that there are going to be situations in our life that will cause us to stretch beyond our limits and become stronger and better. We will find that we can endure more, rise higher, and learn new things that will "add" to our repertoire of just how many amazing things our God can do. 

So do not fret when challenges are present in your life – bring each one, one by one, to the Father who with gentle Hands and a loving Heart will bring you through the journey into a destination point called Glory!

Maria