Faith Lifts theme this month is “Joy”. Contributing writer, Paula, says that even in our trials we must consider it pure joy. She says, ‘As a child, I used to believe my life in Christ guaranteed me a world free from problems. As I’ve grown in my faith walk, I’ve come to realize that according to James 1:2, it’s not a matter of if I’m going to have troubles, it’s a question of when.’
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perserverance.~ James 1:2 (NIV)
I wrote a couple of months ago about Problem’s being Opportunities Catapult. And it is true that we have to choose how to view our circumstances in life. Several years ago I had a friend whose 12 month old daughter drowned in a swimming pool. The strength they showed in that trial, the fact that they never blamed God, never became angry with each other, but instead drew closer to God, even that made me ask “God look at your faithful servants, where were you at to protect them?”
Nineteen months ago I lost a very close family member, a godly woman, to a tragic car accident. I couldn’t make sense of it. “God where were your angels?” I asked. “One centimeter and she would have been spared. Were you asleep?” I struggled for months. I couldn’t understand how He would allow someone with such Love for Him to be taken that way. All the questions everyone has, and even some fear of my own because I questioned, “where are the angels we pray over us and our children everyday, are they going to be on a coffee break when we really need them?”
While I will never understand the timing or reason of her death, I know God used it. It caused me to push past all my understanding of who I thought God was, and draw closer to find out who God is to me! So many times in our struggles we push God away, we blame him because we do not understand. When instead we need to seek Him, and His truth. As I became angrier and more frustrated with God over the situation He asked me something. “Emma lived her life with Joy, it is what everyone will remember her for. The smile on her face even in times when she should have been curled in a ball hiding, she was singing God’s praises. Would she really want you drowning yourself in sorrow because of her? Are you going to let all she put in you die with her?” It was then that I decided to close the book on my grief, and try to live the legacy she left us.
Isaiah 61 best expresses God’s heart to those who are in pain, and even turmoil right now. Be blessed with hope and joy this Christmas. He is Immanuel – God With us!
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61
Sorry about your loss. I agree, it’s during times of difficulty that I’ve drawn closer to the Lord. Keep bloggin’ for Jesus!
Your Sister In Christ,
Yes, I could understand the question why? Because I was telling a friend of mine that on my birthday I woke up and cried and asked God for a better year next year. I told her this year was not the best. And, she gave me the outlook no this was a good year because when we go through something it brings us closer to God. That we have to think about it this way, that maybe why we go through things is that maybe HE is preparing us for something greater. And, she told me to look at it in this matter, she said your praise got more passionate, your prayer life got more in depth. And, I told her that is true. ANd, I am desparate for Jesus. I am drawn to HIM more because of what I went through. So, I do agree that we have to consider it joy because we are growing and learning and maturing in Christ. And, that is always a good thing.
You know, I never blamed God for Emma, but I was so thrown off balance because it didn’t coincide with what I believed. It left me in a fog for a long time. All of the questions that follow something that seemed so wrong like “aren’t we supposed to be protected?” “how do we know when we’re protected?” “Did she have a warning in her spirit that day?” I think the worst part was the fear of not knowing and not understanding why.
It made me feel like I had no control over the outcome in my life even through trusting God for my protection. How could I trust Gods protection if he didn’t protect someone as wonderful as Emma? Then there is a freedom in the not knowing, in fact, in just knowing and being grateful that I have today and the ability to enjoy it reminds me to make choices so that I do. I could also look at everytime God intervened in a miraculous way and rescued me from things unseen. I don’t know why that happened to her or countless other things that seem against what I believe, but I do know that God is still very active in taking care of his children. And in the end, I have to be responsible for me.
Thank goodness.