219: The Strangest Thing Has Happened To Me...
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“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
- Problems and difficulties are built right into the Christian life.
- Christians undergoing them are apt to think it very bewildering and strange.
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters...”
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:6-7).
- Testings, trials, and fiery ordeals come to prove the genuineness of our faith, demonstrating its reality.
- The fires of life, warfare, and circumstances test us, but if we walk through them God’s way, we will bring praise, glory, and honor to the Lord.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
“For the joy that was set before Him [Jesus] endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2).
“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:4).
In II Corinthians 1:8-11, we get an insight into some of Paul’s sufferings:
“But we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (II Corinthians 1:8-9).
“Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us” (II Corinthians 1:10).
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (II Corinthians 4:7).
- God has placed His Treasure in vulnerable earthen vessels (“Christ in you, the hope of glory”: Colossians 1:27), so that the power that comes forth in our lives has to be of Him, and the glory goes to Him alone.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (II Corinthians 4:8-9).
I love this. Walk through the trials with Him. And not rely on how it feels. Expect fiery trials to happen. It is part of our walk and growth with Him. I have looked at trials in the past as somehow God is not paying attention to me and doesn’t really care what is happening. By faith I know that is not true but is a belief of man. I see so much testing and trials demonstrated in the Bible, and God using them to change those He loves and wants to use. Joseph is one of my favorite examples of this. Because He loves us, He takes us through various trials and tests.
Pastor Jeff,
I am just so encouraged listening to this podcast.
For the last four years of our 12 years of marriage to Bill, I have been his caregiver. The last year it has been 24/7.
As much as I hate this disease, of Alzheimers. He is in the late stage now, and through all the losses and grief of those
losses, in both of us, I can honestly say, at this point, I would not have missed it. If I had not had to go through this with him, I highly doubt, I would have the level of depth in my relationship with my heavenly father that I now have. God is so very real to me, I know that I know. He has been with us, never once left or forsook us. Always faithful. He has sent angels to surround us. I woke up one night in the middle of the night and the dark bedroom I saw very faintly, white wings, on figures shaped like the paintings of angels you see, at the foot of our bed. I laid there just watching and enjoying, oh my goodness, there are angels in this room. It was so humbling and comforting, knowing, angels had been sent to watch over us. I do not have to see them now, to know God is keeping us, and His hand is upon us, and He is in control. We are safe with Him. I look back and see where I was in my relationship with the Lord, and where I am now, and it is like night and day. I haven’t arrived, I am still growing and learning, and He is still here. This has been full of grieving, and loss, but the love I have for Bill has grown and my relationship with the Lord has grown and deepened. My faith is so much stronger in who He is, and who I am in Him and the Word says I am His and He is mine, is so true and real.
I was recently diagnosed with ventricular tachacardia, it has been made clear to me, this is not a life sustaining diagnosis, but God. This was not a surprise to God, He is not pacing in front of the throne not knowing what to do. I take this day by day, knowing my life and breath are literally in His hands, as are Bills. God is so good, merciful, gracious, and loving. There is no God like our God. I am so thankful and grateful for God in my life.
I believed you when you said, write what you are going through, and so here it is. God is so good and loving. He is changing me through this. it is an ongoing process. I do my best to cooperate and work with Him. I fail at times, then put my hand back in His and we continue. God bless you. This teaching has been so encouraging and supportive. Thank you.
Edna J Pierce