One of the greatest blessings that I am thankful for everyday of my life is that God has always strategically placed mentors in my life. From the time I began to follow the Lord I cannot think of a time that someone didn't walk into my life and take me under their wing. I've had friend's parents, coaches, youth pastors, lead pastors, ministers, counselors, pastor's wives, you name it, God has always provided someone that was willing to pour into me individually.
It's sort of a joke in my circle right now that my love language is correction or discipline. Obviously this isn't my love language but it is a main way that I feel loved. I desire someone in my life who will encourage me but is more than willing to be honest with me and show me areas of my life that I need to grow. Right now my mentor does exactly that and I absolutely LOVE it.
She recently sat me down to explain an area that she saw that needed some work. This was the area of faith.
I knew when she said it how right she was. I have faith, but who couldn't use more? It's amazing what you can stretch your faith out for when dealing with others, but when it comes to your own personal life it's harder. It's hard to believe God will move miraculously when you're the one in the midst of the situation, or you're the one that feels the pain, or you're the one that has the bank account that is low, or you're the one that doesn't feel peace... It's hard to have faith when everything you see tells you the opposite of faith.
Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please Him.
We have to believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
He is what? He is the I AM. He is everything He says in the Word that He is. I believe God rewards those that diligently seek Him. I've seen Him do it.
I am about to launch into a 9 month personal study of faith. I'm going to dive deep to find everything the Word says about faith and what faith should look like in me. If it takes faith to please Him and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, then I want faith and I know where to find it. I'm excited about this and ready to share what God teaches me.
As you check back over the next few months it'll mainly be lessons on faith as I take this journey... and of course my occasional updates :)
I want to please Him.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Fear, Hate, Evil, Love, Compassion
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Prov. 8:13)
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Ps. 97:10)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good (Rom. 12:9)
I have been praying these verses and several others over the last month or so all having to do with asking the Lord for my character to be like His. I pray that I would hate what He hates and love what He loves.
In this process I literally see my heart becoming more compassionate toward people and more disgusted with sin, my sin, your sin, the world's sin. (It's amazing the power of claiming word over yourself everyday.)
Our cry as a bride has been for years Jesus make us like you, we want to be like you, and yet I haven't seen much change. There hasn't been an overwhelming movement of love for others and hatred for sin. Instead I've seen a moving standard. As the world's standards have gone down the drain the church's slowly move with it.
We still have standards and they are better than the world's but they haven't stayed in line with the Word. The Word says we hate evil, we focus on only pure and noble things, we must be pure in heart, full of 1 Cor. 13 love, 1 John says if we don't love our brethren we don't love God (OUCH), Proverbs says any man who doesn't bridle his tongue is a fool, etc. Have we continued to say God I want to BE LIKE YOU. In other words a walking example of Your Word, not some false sense of standard.
Exodus says the fear of the Lord will keep us from sin. Most of you reading this probably have heard my teaching on fear or have listened to the cd (if you haven't I can get a copy for you). We have to understand the difference of the fear of God and a fear of heights, snakes, etc. The fear of God is a reverential fear of who God is and in His presence this grows and grows. The fear of God in your life is shown by your character, do you hate what God hates and love what He loves? Take a look again at Proverbs 8:13.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Perhaps you've been praying now for a long time saying God I want to be like you, make me like Jesus, and yet don't feel like you are improving. Sanctification is a 2 side process. God will do what you can't do, but you have to do what you can. Get into the Word. Begin to claim scriptures over your life everyday.
I want to be like Jesus. I want to hate what He hates, love what He loves, I want to be sickened by sin, and moved to compassion as He was by people. We have to fear God and desire truly to be like Him.
Blessed are the pure and heart for they shall see God--- I WANT TO SEE HIM
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled--- I WANT TO BE FILLED.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control. Do we walk in the fruits?
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. (Ps. 97:10)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good (Rom. 12:9)
I have been praying these verses and several others over the last month or so all having to do with asking the Lord for my character to be like His. I pray that I would hate what He hates and love what He loves.
In this process I literally see my heart becoming more compassionate toward people and more disgusted with sin, my sin, your sin, the world's sin. (It's amazing the power of claiming word over yourself everyday.)
Our cry as a bride has been for years Jesus make us like you, we want to be like you, and yet I haven't seen much change. There hasn't been an overwhelming movement of love for others and hatred for sin. Instead I've seen a moving standard. As the world's standards have gone down the drain the church's slowly move with it.
We still have standards and they are better than the world's but they haven't stayed in line with the Word. The Word says we hate evil, we focus on only pure and noble things, we must be pure in heart, full of 1 Cor. 13 love, 1 John says if we don't love our brethren we don't love God (OUCH), Proverbs says any man who doesn't bridle his tongue is a fool, etc. Have we continued to say God I want to BE LIKE YOU. In other words a walking example of Your Word, not some false sense of standard.
Exodus says the fear of the Lord will keep us from sin. Most of you reading this probably have heard my teaching on fear or have listened to the cd (if you haven't I can get a copy for you). We have to understand the difference of the fear of God and a fear of heights, snakes, etc. The fear of God is a reverential fear of who God is and in His presence this grows and grows. The fear of God in your life is shown by your character, do you hate what God hates and love what He loves? Take a look again at Proverbs 8:13.
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Perhaps you've been praying now for a long time saying God I want to be like you, make me like Jesus, and yet don't feel like you are improving. Sanctification is a 2 side process. God will do what you can't do, but you have to do what you can. Get into the Word. Begin to claim scriptures over your life everyday.
I want to be like Jesus. I want to hate what He hates, love what He loves, I want to be sickened by sin, and moved to compassion as He was by people. We have to fear God and desire truly to be like Him.
Blessed are the pure and heart for they shall see God--- I WANT TO SEE HIM
Blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled--- I WANT TO BE FILLED.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control. Do we walk in the fruits?
Saturday, July 9, 2011
A God Who Walks In the Fire
I woke up meditating on the sheer awesomeness of my Creator this morning.
Bible Story after Bible story flooded my thinking as I was considering how great of a God I serve. (This in and of itself is an answer to prayer because i've been praying Psalms 1 for a while now that I would meditate on the Word day and night)
I thought about Daniel in the lion's den and how we serve a God who shuts the mouths of lions. When a child of God chooses to honor God above all else God comes in to shut the mouth of the enemy. The Word says that the enemy roams around LIKE (not that he is one but he tries to act like one) a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, BUT IT'S OKAY, we serve a God who shuts the mouths of lions.
Now I think about Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. These men were thrown into a fiery furnace 7x hotter than what the normal temperature was. It was so hot that the men that threw them into the furnace were burned!
I want the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I find in our own lives that as we walk towards the fire (any trial) we immediately begin to lose faith. We ask God WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME! WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERE ARE YOU? We begin to second guess our own decisions, perhaps we second guess God, anxiety and worry often set it. Here is these guys' response as they come to face the fire and Nebuchadnezzar asks the men if God will save them from their sure death.
DANIEL 3:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.] 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
In other words: We know our God CAN deliver us, We know our God WILL deliver us our of your hand, but if He doesn't we still serve God.
These men weren't doubting whether God would save them, they were saying no matter my circumstances, in a fire or out, lifted high or very low, alive or burned, God is THE GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, and NONE BUT HIM WILL RECEIVE OUR WORSHIP!
Then the Lord showed up in the midst of the fire. He didn't stand beside it, He didn't reach a hand down and pull them out, He walked into the fire with them. That's my Jesus. That's His Character.
These men had a decision to be beat down, to lose heart, to lose faith, but they STOOD UP UNDER TRIAL, and Jesus came and walked in the fire with them. Even the king yelled out, I thought we only threw three men in the fire, who is that fourth man that looks like a son of the gods?!? (Daniel 3:25)
Then even the king worshipped the God of Shadrech Meshech and Abednego. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The God of Jessika. The God of you. The Creator of the Universe. The One True God.
So what if? What if often times we're led through fire, so that Jesus can come in and walk with us through it, drawing us closer to Him, and if our faith will stand, if we will not deny the Lord, through the fire others will see Jesus and praise Him.
We serve a God who walks in the fire, will you stand firm in your faith in the midst of fire?
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Bible Story after Bible story flooded my thinking as I was considering how great of a God I serve. (This in and of itself is an answer to prayer because i've been praying Psalms 1 for a while now that I would meditate on the Word day and night)
I thought about Daniel in the lion's den and how we serve a God who shuts the mouths of lions. When a child of God chooses to honor God above all else God comes in to shut the mouth of the enemy. The Word says that the enemy roams around LIKE (not that he is one but he tries to act like one) a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, BUT IT'S OKAY, we serve a God who shuts the mouths of lions.
Now I think about Shadrach Meshach and Abednego. These men were thrown into a fiery furnace 7x hotter than what the normal temperature was. It was so hot that the men that threw them into the furnace were burned!
I want the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I find in our own lives that as we walk towards the fire (any trial) we immediately begin to lose faith. We ask God WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME! WHAT'S GOING ON? WHERE ARE YOU? We begin to second guess our own decisions, perhaps we second guess God, anxiety and worry often set it. Here is these guys' response as they come to face the fire and Nebuchadnezzar asks the men if God will save them from their sure death.
DANIEL 3:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.] 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
In other words: We know our God CAN deliver us, We know our God WILL deliver us our of your hand, but if He doesn't we still serve God.
These men weren't doubting whether God would save them, they were saying no matter my circumstances, in a fire or out, lifted high or very low, alive or burned, God is THE GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, and NONE BUT HIM WILL RECEIVE OUR WORSHIP!
Then the Lord showed up in the midst of the fire. He didn't stand beside it, He didn't reach a hand down and pull them out, He walked into the fire with them. That's my Jesus. That's His Character.
These men had a decision to be beat down, to lose heart, to lose faith, but they STOOD UP UNDER TRIAL, and Jesus came and walked in the fire with them. Even the king yelled out, I thought we only threw three men in the fire, who is that fourth man that looks like a son of the gods?!? (Daniel 3:25)
Then even the king worshipped the God of Shadrech Meshech and Abednego. The God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The God of Jessika. The God of you. The Creator of the Universe. The One True God.
So what if? What if often times we're led through fire, so that Jesus can come in and walk with us through it, drawing us closer to Him, and if our faith will stand, if we will not deny the Lord, through the fire others will see Jesus and praise Him.
We serve a God who walks in the fire, will you stand firm in your faith in the midst of fire?
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Thursday, July 7, 2011
The Higher Life
Many people have different analogies and metaphors for life. Here are just a few.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
Life is like a jar of jalapenos (a personal favorite), what you do today may burn your butt tomorrow.
Life is like a carousel, there are times your up and times your down.
Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.
You get the point, but no matter what we can compare life to there are a few things about life i've determined. One is that my life has a purpose. A purpose that supersedes anything I may determine as important. A purpose to know God, to be known by Him, to make Him known, and a purpose or assignment that God has made specifically for me. Another thing is that life is too short to waste time.
I remember someone telling me once "we have to be accountable to our anointing". As I think about that statement I want to say we have to make a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, decision to hold ourselves accountable to our assignment that God has given us.
Life is many different things, it will have many trials, it will have highs lows, successes and failures, but no matter the circumstances or situation we should remember the promises and vision God has given us and remain accountable and faithful to that assignment.
The best example I can give is two specific assignments God has given me and the choice I made to remain accountable to those assignments.
When I was 16 years old I was praying alone in the sanctuary of the church I attended. God spoke to me and said Jessika you will stand behind a pulpit with a crowd larger than this to share the gospel.
I was only 16 and I thought the Lord was CRAZY... however I knew I heard Him, and I trusted Him. So what did I do? If I was supposed to share the gospel I began to dive into the Word like never before. I read the Bible through twice in the year that followed that. I wrote sermons in my spare time. I began writing devotions. I did everything I thought that someone who preached the gospel should be doing. Everyday I prayed for boldness and opportunity to fulfill the assignment I felt God had called me to. Did you know that this assignment didn't come until almost 5 years later when I spoke to a crowd of around 500!!! But for 5 years I held myself accountable to what I knew God had called me to do. I stood firm on His Word, I studied and I prayed to be prepared for the time that it came forth.
The second time was my first call to missions/Africa. I won't restate the whole amazing story because i've already told it so many times in this blog, but I will say I was 18 years old with no desire to go on the mission field and then God spoke to me and told me I'd go to Africa. The very next day I was on the internet searching missions teams and trips. I was researching Africa and what type of missions were done there (I really knew nothing at all about africa or missions). I began to pray daily multiple times a day for God to open a door for me to go, for God to move on the continent (at that time I didn't feel called to any particular country), I prayed for finances to support my trip. This went on for another 2 years until I took my first trip to Africa!
Perhaps you're young and haven't heard God tell you something specific like these two things. Begin to ask God what your assignment is. Ask Him what are some things He wants you to do with your life. But also remember that we all have one calling, many various assignments, but one calling. We are all called to win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. Never let a day go by that you aren't growing deeper in your relationship with Christ by time in worship, prayer, intercession, and Bible study. Don't let a day go by that you aren't sharing the love of Christ to another person, loving others as Christ has loved us.
The enemy loves to get Christians distracted from their God given assignments. Many times we can get so focused on what we've chosen to do that we forget that God has things for us to do. We can be so wrapped up in class, work, eating, resting, shopping, driving, etc. that we don't listen the Holy Spirit as He tries to guide and lead us to do things for the Kingdom.
We talk a lot about the fact that God will never leave us nor forsake us. And it’s true, He is always with us. But we have to admit, His power is not always in manifestation. In Jesus’ life, however, God’s power was constantly in manifestation. Every moment of every hour of every day, Jesus walked in the measureless, manifested power and presence of God because He always did those things that pleased the Father.
I long to live that life of obedience that Christ had. He knew His assignment, He knew why He was on earth, and His lifestyle showed that. His life was not His own, it was all about the Father's will. The things of this world were of no concern to Him.
If you could see what God has for you in the higher life, you would immediately let go of the mundane things of the world. You would drop that junk so fast you wouldn’t even know which way it went. But you’re not going to be able to see it and then make your decision. You have to step into that higher life by faith. You have to lay down your life because the Word says to do it. Then and only then will you discover the wonders that are waiting on the other side of your obedience.
A life that is accountable to it's assignment. Help me Lord.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
Life is like a jar of jalapenos (a personal favorite), what you do today may burn your butt tomorrow.
Life is like a carousel, there are times your up and times your down.
Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.
You get the point, but no matter what we can compare life to there are a few things about life i've determined. One is that my life has a purpose. A purpose that supersedes anything I may determine as important. A purpose to know God, to be known by Him, to make Him known, and a purpose or assignment that God has made specifically for me. Another thing is that life is too short to waste time.
I remember someone telling me once "we have to be accountable to our anointing". As I think about that statement I want to say we have to make a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, decision to hold ourselves accountable to our assignment that God has given us.
Life is many different things, it will have many trials, it will have highs lows, successes and failures, but no matter the circumstances or situation we should remember the promises and vision God has given us and remain accountable and faithful to that assignment.
The best example I can give is two specific assignments God has given me and the choice I made to remain accountable to those assignments.
When I was 16 years old I was praying alone in the sanctuary of the church I attended. God spoke to me and said Jessika you will stand behind a pulpit with a crowd larger than this to share the gospel.
I was only 16 and I thought the Lord was CRAZY... however I knew I heard Him, and I trusted Him. So what did I do? If I was supposed to share the gospel I began to dive into the Word like never before. I read the Bible through twice in the year that followed that. I wrote sermons in my spare time. I began writing devotions. I did everything I thought that someone who preached the gospel should be doing. Everyday I prayed for boldness and opportunity to fulfill the assignment I felt God had called me to. Did you know that this assignment didn't come until almost 5 years later when I spoke to a crowd of around 500!!! But for 5 years I held myself accountable to what I knew God had called me to do. I stood firm on His Word, I studied and I prayed to be prepared for the time that it came forth.
The second time was my first call to missions/Africa. I won't restate the whole amazing story because i've already told it so many times in this blog, but I will say I was 18 years old with no desire to go on the mission field and then God spoke to me and told me I'd go to Africa. The very next day I was on the internet searching missions teams and trips. I was researching Africa and what type of missions were done there (I really knew nothing at all about africa or missions). I began to pray daily multiple times a day for God to open a door for me to go, for God to move on the continent (at that time I didn't feel called to any particular country), I prayed for finances to support my trip. This went on for another 2 years until I took my first trip to Africa!
Perhaps you're young and haven't heard God tell you something specific like these two things. Begin to ask God what your assignment is. Ask Him what are some things He wants you to do with your life. But also remember that we all have one calling, many various assignments, but one calling. We are all called to win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. Never let a day go by that you aren't growing deeper in your relationship with Christ by time in worship, prayer, intercession, and Bible study. Don't let a day go by that you aren't sharing the love of Christ to another person, loving others as Christ has loved us.
The enemy loves to get Christians distracted from their God given assignments. Many times we can get so focused on what we've chosen to do that we forget that God has things for us to do. We can be so wrapped up in class, work, eating, resting, shopping, driving, etc. that we don't listen the Holy Spirit as He tries to guide and lead us to do things for the Kingdom.
We talk a lot about the fact that God will never leave us nor forsake us. And it’s true, He is always with us. But we have to admit, His power is not always in manifestation. In Jesus’ life, however, God’s power was constantly in manifestation. Every moment of every hour of every day, Jesus walked in the measureless, manifested power and presence of God because He always did those things that pleased the Father.
I long to live that life of obedience that Christ had. He knew His assignment, He knew why He was on earth, and His lifestyle showed that. His life was not His own, it was all about the Father's will. The things of this world were of no concern to Him.
If you could see what God has for you in the higher life, you would immediately let go of the mundane things of the world. You would drop that junk so fast you wouldn’t even know which way it went. But you’re not going to be able to see it and then make your decision. You have to step into that higher life by faith. You have to lay down your life because the Word says to do it. Then and only then will you discover the wonders that are waiting on the other side of your obedience.
A life that is accountable to it's assignment. Help me Lord.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Problem of Pain
“But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
This is a quote from CS Lewis' "The Problem of Pain".
I read this book a few years ago as I went through a CS Lewis phase and bought practically every book he's ever written and today this quote jumped to my mind.
I've seen a tremendous amount of pain in the last few weeks, some of my own and plenty for others. Death, Divorce, Sickness, Emotional Hurt, Confusion, Failed Attempts, Broken Plans, and Loss of Direction. There's been more than enough pain.
Today I received a phone call from another friend, in pain, and I thought about this quote and I clung to the belief that God speaks to us in our hurts and hope that this person would listen for Him.
There's so much about life that is unexplainable to us in this moment. I will say I am thankful for my personality in that I'm not so much of an analyzer that I need an answer for every situation, I can let life roll and not get to hung up on the things I don't understand, yet I fully realize not everyone has that luxury.
People are built with a hunger for knowledge, a want to explain and understand, especially when the thing we don't understand caused us pain.
When someone young dies, when a girl who was raped gets pregnant, when we worked extremely hard for something to no avail, when we thought we made the right choice and it doesn't work out, when you thought that relationship would work and it didn't, when love fades, when cancer strikes, or simply when life doesn't feel right... questions come, There is a desire for comfort in explanation and knowledge.
We're not wrong for wanting to understand... check this out: Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
My concern is where we choose to get understanding from. In times of pain we want understanding from others (not that this won't happen), perhaps we want God to speak it to us (not that this won't happen either), but the true place of wisdom is straight from the Word.
When life throws a curve ball see what the Word says about it.
First off we know that this hard stuff is going to happen:
1 Peter:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
or even better look at what Jesus said
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
I know things have been difficult. I know that death, discouragement, disappoint, etc are hard, but the Word promises great reward for those who rejoice and stand firm in suffering (James 1, 1 Peter 1) It's in these times that we get to prove our faith is genuine and remember without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Standing firm doesn't mean we can't cry, it doesn't mean we can't mourn, it means not losing faith, finding Word to put on our situation, and remembering that weeping is for a time but joy comes in the morning. The Word says to rejoice when faced with these trials.
I know many times my heart has hurt over various situations in the last few weeks and my desire is to be found faithful. To cast my care upon the Lord knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), to seek Him and His word for my comfort and understanding. I love this quote.
We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person ...... the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus. --Oswald Chambers
I don't want to be beat down under trial I want to rise up in faith. My prayers go up and my heart goes out for those hurting in the midst of various trials right now! Breakthrough will come.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
As always,
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
This is a quote from CS Lewis' "The Problem of Pain".
I read this book a few years ago as I went through a CS Lewis phase and bought practically every book he's ever written and today this quote jumped to my mind.
I've seen a tremendous amount of pain in the last few weeks, some of my own and plenty for others. Death, Divorce, Sickness, Emotional Hurt, Confusion, Failed Attempts, Broken Plans, and Loss of Direction. There's been more than enough pain.
Today I received a phone call from another friend, in pain, and I thought about this quote and I clung to the belief that God speaks to us in our hurts and hope that this person would listen for Him.
There's so much about life that is unexplainable to us in this moment. I will say I am thankful for my personality in that I'm not so much of an analyzer that I need an answer for every situation, I can let life roll and not get to hung up on the things I don't understand, yet I fully realize not everyone has that luxury.
People are built with a hunger for knowledge, a want to explain and understand, especially when the thing we don't understand caused us pain.
When someone young dies, when a girl who was raped gets pregnant, when we worked extremely hard for something to no avail, when we thought we made the right choice and it doesn't work out, when you thought that relationship would work and it didn't, when love fades, when cancer strikes, or simply when life doesn't feel right... questions come, There is a desire for comfort in explanation and knowledge.
We're not wrong for wanting to understand... check this out: Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
My concern is where we choose to get understanding from. In times of pain we want understanding from others (not that this won't happen), perhaps we want God to speak it to us (not that this won't happen either), but the true place of wisdom is straight from the Word.
When life throws a curve ball see what the Word says about it.
First off we know that this hard stuff is going to happen:
1 Peter:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
or even better look at what Jesus said
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
I know things have been difficult. I know that death, discouragement, disappoint, etc are hard, but the Word promises great reward for those who rejoice and stand firm in suffering (James 1, 1 Peter 1) It's in these times that we get to prove our faith is genuine and remember without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Standing firm doesn't mean we can't cry, it doesn't mean we can't mourn, it means not losing faith, finding Word to put on our situation, and remembering that weeping is for a time but joy comes in the morning. The Word says to rejoice when faced with these trials.
I know many times my heart has hurt over various situations in the last few weeks and my desire is to be found faithful. To cast my care upon the Lord knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), to seek Him and His word for my comfort and understanding. I love this quote.
We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person ...... the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus. --Oswald Chambers
I don't want to be beat down under trial I want to rise up in faith. My prayers go up and my heart goes out for those hurting in the midst of various trials right now! Breakthrough will come.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
As always,
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
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