Jan 22, 2015

Pain is Part of Growing



 

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear/beyond your strength, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

No matter how hard life gets, there is STILL always something to be thankful for ... thank God, for He is worthy. Wake up each day thankful for your life, because someone somewhere else is desperately fighting for theirs. Happiness is not the absence of problems, but the ability to deal with them.

Sometimes doors close because it is time to move forward. And that's a good thing because we often will not move unless circumstances force us to. Sometimes, life hits us over the head with situations that we never saw coming. Ouch. What in the world are we gonna do? Life just seems to spin so out of control at times, us helpless as to the way things will be when the dust settles.

When times are tough, remind yourself that no pain comes without a purpose. Move on from what/who hurt you, but never forget what it taught you. Just because you are struggling does not mean you are failing. Every great success requires some type of struggle to get there. Some problems and circumstances will never make sense to us, or why God allows them and doesn't stop the suffering and pain.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

There are two kinds of pain: pain that hurts and pain that changes you. When you roll with life, instead of resisting it, both kinds help you grow. There's an awakening and release in your spirit when the light comes on that IT'S NOT ALL YOUR FAULT and NOTHING you could have done would have changed your circumstances or what you or loved ones are going through. Thank God that Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, continually interceding on our behalf. He prays for us just like He did for Peter in the book of Luke:

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31,32

We must come to the Lord during those times when we need Him and let Him pour in us His grace, love and peace. Cast your burdens upon the Lord (roll and repose each care) and He WILL sustain you (Psalm 55:22), for His shoulders can carry the weight that tries to pull us down and drain us of all that we have. That's the secret to the trials ... that even though we CAN'T handle all that He allows to be put on us, we CAN bear it and make it through when we give all the troubles and pains and sorrows to Him, for HIM to carry instead of US. When we allow the Lord to minister to us, His touch is so soothing. We can feel Him helping us to feel better. These strokes of love are causing us to be healed and to grow to be more like Him.

Father, the journey sometimes seems too hard to handle. Life just flat hurts and seems so unfair. Help us to allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us so that the process will be easier. In spite of all the trials/growing pains, thank You God that there is a way out. You are the Way out, Jesus and You promised that You would make a way of escape through every trial. We don't want to be like the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years, going around the same mountain over and over again. Help us to learn and move on. Lead us, Lord. Teach us Holy Spirit. Help us to be obedient to Your voice and Your leading. We have problems that need solving. We have family that needs healing. We have bills that need paying. God, just fix it all and help us to remain faithful and believe. Help us to put feet to our faith and walk in love. Give us grace and peace through it all. In Jesus’ name, amen.