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AriseandShine.org

July 2012

Don't Be Surprised

7/12/2012

 
​Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
​as though some strange thing happened to you.
I Peter 4:12

Our hardships and difficulties, when they come upon us, and oftentimes unexpectedly at that, may cause Christ's disciples much consternation and confusion...
We cry to the Lord and we ask Him "Why?" But the fact is that these things come our way (always with God's permission) to help develop our character, and to assist in the maturing of our faith. In addition, they serve to keep us humble, and to keep us on our knees.

Such hardships cause us to stay close to the Savior, as we have dire need of His help while also being guarded against the human tendency to become self-sufficient. And this is necessary as it helps to keep pride from taking root in our lives.

Our difficulties and trials, I believe, help make us into better Christians. Having been humbled by various hardships and by life's often cruel blows, we may eventually mature to the point where we, as Christians, will recognize that no matter what we're going through, it is all part of God's will f or our lives . That everything we must face is somehow being worked out for our good (Romans 8:28).

I think, too, that as we go through our fiery trials, and as we by God's grace overcome them, we somehow become more like Jesus - loving, tenderhearted and patient towards others. We become better servants of the cross as well as wise spiritual soldiers having been both humbled and strengthened by what we had to endure. 

This is what the Holy Spirit gave me today.


D. B.

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    David Berkowitz
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