Storms Ahead

The Holy Spirit testifies to me
in every city ​that imprisonment
​and affliction await me.
Acts 20:23

I believe the Holy Spirit is telling me that several new trials and challenges await me in 2018...

What they will be, I do not know, but Jesus knows. And He will be with me through every storm, so I've nothing to fear. There's no getting out of it, either. As the apostle Paul oftentimes testified in his writings, no matter where he'd go, difficulties and challenges awaited. So did an array of temptations. It's no different for me, nor for any disciple of the Lord Jesus.

With each new year, my trials seem to intensify, yet this is not all bad. It's actually good because the Lord will use these things to strengthen my faith. After all, I have been walking with the Lord long enough to know that the spiritual storms which assail Christians, are unavoidable. That if I choose not to resist what God is doing, every hardship I face in life will be for my ultimate benefit.

In addition, as with all forms of warfare, the road to victory has to at some point involve pain and suffering. Of course, I don't look forward to such things, but I do believe that when I endure temptations and hardships, I am allowing the Lord to bring me to higher levels of Christian maturity (Romans 8:28).

D.B.