Thank You Lord, for the Storm...

Bible readings... 
“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thess. 5:18
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2-3
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

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Hello everyone…and a big welcome to Sunday Inspiration…through the Risen Hope Ministries! I am so glad that you stopped by for a visit today and my prayer for all of us; is that we will truly experience an eye opening moment with God today…one that will really help us to see our trials in a much different light!
 
You know…how many times do we become so caught up in the problems that stand before us; that we completely miss out, on the new things that could be discovered, during what we see as the most difficult times in our lives? As I look back, to about 20 years ago; I remember some moments, when I was so caught up in the symptoms of my problems and all that was going on around me at the time; that I never knew that anything good could ever come out of these difficult and overwhelming moments. All I was concerned about at the time…was coming out of the problems for good and moving on with my life; but that didn’t happen, for quite some time…because you see…God had some things that He was longing to teach me and I just wasn’t teachable at the time. Instead of allowing God to use these difficult moments in my life…I allowed them to abuse me and make my life miserable…that is, until I was willing to view my problems through God’s eyes, rather than my own.
 
As I was listening to our song for the week…“Thankful for the Storm;” God began to remind me, as to how each moment of trial serves a purpose that only He knows at the time…and one purpose these difficult moments teach us; is how to see life in a better way…one that can change our hearts and allow us to be thankful for what is happening, rather than living with a heart of complaint.
 
Before we continue on…I would like to share some of the lyrics, from this beautiful song… “Thankful for the Storm”…and they go like this… “But I wouldn’t know your peace without the hard times…or be thankful for relief without the pain. I wouldn’t love the light, if it wasn’t for the darkness…or appreciate the sun without the rain. How could I understand forgiveness without failure…or feel the warmth of love, without the bitter cold. How could I hold your healing hand without affliction…and be blessed to see your mercies all unfold. Sure it’s a blessing, to be safe, secure and warm; but Lord I want to thank you for the storm.”
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You know what? We will never see our trials in this way, until we are willing to allow God to show them to us in this way. When we can see and even experience the good that can come from each difficult trial in our lives; then this alone will cause us to praise God…even in the midst of the very worst.
 
Lately, I have been experiencing a lot of pain in my body, due to a multitude of problems…stemming from two bad legs that weren’t formed right at birth…and I have to be honest with you…even after all these years, it is still a struggle at times, to see the good through all the pain; but I have found that when I thank God for the pain, rather than beg Him for His help…or be disappointed, when He doesn’t remove the pain altogether…I do find relief and I feel it’s because a thankful heart becomes a message to God; that says… “I may be hurting right now; but I want to thank you for these moments because I wouldn’t have grown in you and appreciated the good times, without these tough times first.
 
You know…when a child gets everything they want and they never learn what it’s like to hear the word “No;” then they tend to grow up and not see and experience life, in the way a child would… who has learned through loss…which only makes it much more difficult, as the child grows into an adult. Even though God’s timing may seem to be a firm “no”…maybe it’s because He wants us to see and experience something new through the trial…and from my own experience; it’s better to listen to God and follow His lead, rather than suffer needlessly.
 
No matter what we’re facing today…and no matter how long we have endured these difficult times; we need to look for the good that can be seen through these bad moments and I’m sure that once we do…our eyes will be opened, to a brand new view of the trial…a view that will cause us to truly be thankful for the storm!
Blessings so much on your day!
It’s Always & Only Because of Him…
Diane
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