"Not again!" Shoes

It happens, doesn't it? After a period of extended trials, there comes a wonderful time of peace. When the peace comes it is so easy to think, "Okay, I've been through a lot. Surely this time of peace and comfort will last for awhile." But then it doesn't. From out of nowhere, totally unexpected, a new challenge or trial comes.

This recently happened to me. As soon as the challenge emerged on the horizon, the Holy Spirit quickly reminded me:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4: 6-7)

 I went outside and gazed up at the star-filled sky....

" Do you trust ME?"

"Yes God, I do. I can remember the countless ways you have cared for me thus far. I know you will provide. I know you are at work. You are the God who placed each star in the sky. I trust you." 

I stood there, struck by the assurance that so quickly filled my heart. Would such quick assurance have filled me just two years ago? No. What happened? TRIALS.....lots of them. Remember the James 1:2-4 passage?

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything."

Sisters, we are a product of our trials. If we profess that God's word is Truth, then we cannot abandon that Truth and live in confusion, anger or doubt. We must persevere, embracing the Truth. When we persevere we grow, and as we grow we develop a history. It is a history of God's care and provision. It is a history we can remember when faced with yet another trial, a history we can share with others. It is a history of triumph.

In closing, please be encouraged by the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

" ' I myself will help you,' declares the Lord. O my soul, is this not enough? Dost thou need more strength than the omnipotence of the United Trinity? Dost thou want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring hither thine empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Haste, gather up thy wants, and bring them here - thine emptiness, thy woes, thy needs. Behold, this river of Good is full for thy supply; what canst thou desire beside? Go forth, my soul, in this thy might. The eternal God is thine helper!"

 

A Cup of Warm Milk Shoes

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." (2 Cor. 1: 3 - 4)

Now that you are all grown up, have you ever enjoyed a cup of warm milk in the evening before bed? Warm milk, sometimes flavored with molasses, was always the cure for insomnia during my childhood years. As an adult I forgot about warm milk until one of my children had trouble falling asleep. Then I remembered.

Warm milk. Smooth. Soothing, warming the insides, comforting, enabling rest. Warm milk reminds us in a very small way about the activity of the God of all comfort. He warms our hearts with the truth of His word. He soothes and cares for us during our times of trouble. Because we are comforted we can rest.

As we drink a cup of warm milk, it is always nice to share its comforting warmth with another. So it is with the comfort given from our heavenly Father. His comfort empowers and equips us to provide comfort to others during their times of trouble. In fact, one of the reasons he comforts us is so we are able to comfort others. It is an expectation.

Have you received comfort from your heavenly Father during a time of trial? Share that comfort with others! Are you experiencing a time of trouble? Remember that the Father of Compassion - your Father - offers you His comfort. It is a comfort so much greater that a simple cup of warm milk.