Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you...
1 Peter 4:12 KJV
As many of my closest friends know, this has been a year of some unusual and intense spiritual trials...
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you...
1 Peter 4:12 KJV
As many of my closest friends know, this has been a year of some unusual and intense spiritual trials...
In fact, I would say that for me, it has been one of the most grueling and challenging times
that I could remember. The last very difficult year was back in 1999 when the media went wild and was overfocusing on a movie that was being produced by a well-known filmmaker, Spike Lee.
At the time of the movie's release, and in the months while it was still in production, countless hours of coverage were given to the film. For me, however, all the resultant publicity over the "Son of Sam" crimes and the loss of innocent lives was overwhelming and sickening. It was 1977 all over again. For months, I lived under intense stress. I was under a lot of mental and emotional torment that left me feeling unsettled and fearful. Yet, thankfully by the grace of God, I was able to endure and overcome all this.
But fast-forwarding to the present, a handful of seemingly absurd trials have come upon me beginning around the start of the year. And while some of them have already been dealt with and have come to a good end, others still remain active.
Do these things take a toll on me? Of course they do. I'm human. I have to deal with the stresses of life just like everyone else. But what I also know is that Jesus will never leave my side. As the holy Bible assures me, "In all these things I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me" (Romans 8:37).
My Messiah has never failed me yet, and He never will. I fully believe that at the end of every trial and challenge, there is a good lesson to be learned. Whatever the hardship, when we endure it with patience, our faith becomes stronger. And this, I believe, is why the Scriptures tell us to rejoice in our trials rather than complain and grieve over them. Because in the end, as the Word of God promises, all that we experience in life, even if it at first seems to be bad, can ultimately be used for our good.
So even though 2023 has been a tough year, leaving me feeling weary and worn-out, there have been many wonderful victories, as well. My story of redemption and forgiveness has reached and hopefully inspired many people from all walks of life to seek a relationship with the Lord. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
All said, God has been good to me. And all the troubles and trials and problems I had to go through, in hindsight, they were worth it. Good always wins out over evil.
D.B.
that I could remember. The last very difficult year was back in 1999 when the media went wild and was overfocusing on a movie that was being produced by a well-known filmmaker, Spike Lee.
At the time of the movie's release, and in the months while it was still in production, countless hours of coverage were given to the film. For me, however, all the resultant publicity over the "Son of Sam" crimes and the loss of innocent lives was overwhelming and sickening. It was 1977 all over again. For months, I lived under intense stress. I was under a lot of mental and emotional torment that left me feeling unsettled and fearful. Yet, thankfully by the grace of God, I was able to endure and overcome all this.
But fast-forwarding to the present, a handful of seemingly absurd trials have come upon me beginning around the start of the year. And while some of them have already been dealt with and have come to a good end, others still remain active.
Do these things take a toll on me? Of course they do. I'm human. I have to deal with the stresses of life just like everyone else. But what I also know is that Jesus will never leave my side. As the holy Bible assures me, "In all these things I am more than a conqueror through Christ who loves me" (Romans 8:37).
My Messiah has never failed me yet, and He never will. I fully believe that at the end of every trial and challenge, there is a good lesson to be learned. Whatever the hardship, when we endure it with patience, our faith becomes stronger. And this, I believe, is why the Scriptures tell us to rejoice in our trials rather than complain and grieve over them. Because in the end, as the Word of God promises, all that we experience in life, even if it at first seems to be bad, can ultimately be used for our good.
So even though 2023 has been a tough year, leaving me feeling weary and worn-out, there have been many wonderful victories, as well. My story of redemption and forgiveness has reached and hopefully inspired many people from all walks of life to seek a relationship with the Lord. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).
All said, God has been good to me. And all the troubles and trials and problems I had to go through, in hindsight, they were worth it. Good always wins out over evil.
D.B.
