The Gift in Tribulation

So many friends and family are facing the most challenging situations of their lives -- illness, financial hardship, relationship challenges, the passing of loved ones and failing faith. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer number of prayer requests. But there is hope ... God has given us a gift in the midst of tribulation.

As many of you can attest, God will not always deliver us from a hardship as much as He will grant us the grace to walk through the situation - maintaining and even increasing our faith, enabling us to catch a new glimpse of His glory and deepening our commitment to His plans.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, 'The wise man in a storm prays to God, not for safety from danger, but for deliverance from fear.' I like that quote because, often, our greatest enemy in the midst of the storm can be the fears that we allow to intimidate and control us. But we know from scripture that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

We must understand that the greatest blessing may not be in God delivering us from the grasp of adversity. The greatest blessing may be His allowing us to remain in the storm so that we come out with a renewed trust in Him and the understanding that He is all that truly matters.

James 1:2-4 in the Message Bible tells us to, 'Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. ‘

Romans 5:3-5 echoes that sentiment by reminding us that, 'We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.'

Over the past two-and-a-half years, and especially during the past few weeks, I have been privileged with the ability to obtain a renewed compassion for hurting people, an increased understanding of what are true priorities in this life, revitalized strength and faith roots that have dug deeper with every wind of trial that has blown - not in spite of the challenges but because of them.

We often pray to God and express our desire to see and experience the miraculous. But we must understand that in order to have a true miracle manifestation of the power and presence of God - we must first find ourselves in a situation that is beyond human comprehension, consolation and correction. And, while this place can be extremely daunting, it ever so rewarding.

Therefore, I encourage you dear friends,
Keep pressing forward, in faith, with God!

For we know that He will never leave us nor [utterly] forsake us and that He causes all things to work together for good, to them that love Him, who are the called -- according to His purpose.

Be Blessed!