Why?

I've been teaching Bible study again - after a little break. Love, love sharing , my life, perspective and what God reveals to me with these precious souls who sit around my table. Because, I believe we can all admit it...life is really hard sometimes. Mixed in with the days of joy, are the days when we look heavenward and silently ask the age-old question: "Why?"

We serve an omnipotent God; an omniscient God; an omnipresent God. We know He IS the answer and knows all the answers too. I don't know about you, but I'm just real with Him and am not afraid to share my deepest dreams, disappointments and express my frustrations after I've taken time to thank and praise Him for a bit. I believe He desires to hear ALL of our thoughts, questions and petitions too - He knows it all anyhow!

This last week, as I was preparing for Bible study, this dropped into my spirit:

There are four kinds of tests/trials we face in this life we live.

1. Those we put ourselves through because of choices we've made.

2. Those we must endure because of the actions of others.

3. Those God uses to test our faith, love and commitment to Him.

4. Those God allows the devil to put on us because He knows we'll come through it with flying colors.

Maybe there are more, but these are the ones I pondered in my heart and then shared during Bible study.

We're studying in the book of James where it says to "count it all joy" when we encounter situations, temptations and trials of all kinds. I think we can sum it up this way in today's terminology: hard times are coming, don't sweat the big or small stuff, God's going to use it. And, just to put our hearts and minds at ease, God isn't asking us to be happy about our hard! He's asking us to trust Him, know that He's got us, and to rest in knowing He'll bring us through any storm - that's true joy. Being okay during the dark, stormy days because we know He sees, knows and has got us. Period. He doesn't ask a lot of us...just for us to know and trust Him through it all.

That doesn't mean we have to go through those days with a smile continuously on our face. It doesn't mean that hot tears won't fall down our face. It doesn't mean we have to fake it until we make it. Jesus carried His cross in pain and agony, with blood pouring from His beaten human body and brow - it's wasn't a pretty sight. No, having joy simply means we choose to know without a doubt that He's with us and we trust Him to bring us through. I don't know about you but I've known that and still had tears fall - simultaneously.

Of course, we don't like those trials we bring upon ourselves. We probably proverbially kick ourselves over and over again and beat ourselves up because we made a dumb choice. We knew better! The beautiful thing about living for God though, is that He will use even that to grow and mature us - regardless of our moment of "stupid." What grace and mercy God bestows upon us. Disclaimer: I've been through plenty of these types!

Then, there are those ripples and testings we must endure because of other's choices. These are often times really hard because we feel they're not "fair." After all, we didn't choose or cause these ones! I've had my share of this type of testing too. I can't think of anyone who endured more in this area than Christ, our Savior. He bore the pain and sin of the cross because of our sins. In this life, I always say our choices and sins don't only impact our own lives...they have a ripple affect. The truth is, we sometimes have to suffer through other's-inflicted moments just like Joseph did - but look how God turned that one around. We have hope!

I thought of dear old Father Abraham who was tested by God Himself. What must he have been thinking as he took his wood-laden, only son up that mountain without a lamb to sacrifice. Sure, he said the lad and I will return, that was faith. I wonder though what his fatherly emotions were at that moment in time. After all, he didn't know for certain God would not actually require of him to sacrifice Isaac. The Lord tested Abraham's faith and love for Him all the way to the end as he raised his knife to end his son's life. Abraham passed the test! My friend, sometimes we pray and God wants to test our love and dedication to Him - whether His answer is a yes or no. Yes, I've been through these trials too. Sometimes He just wants to see if we'll love and continue to serve Him in spite of a "no". I can testify and say that God sustained me and has held me through the valleys until I could stand on my own again as He's proven my love for Him. And I still love Him!!! He is such a faithful God.

Finally, there are the tests and trials God allows the enemy of our soul to bring into our lives because He trusts that we will remain true to Him no matter what. I'm not saying we are excited about going through these, but goodness knows, it's exciting to think about. Have you ever thought about the hardest thing you've ever faced in your life that wasn't self-inflicted, the cross you were asked to carry, possibly being because of God's faith in you? Think about Job; Satan had to ask God's permission to put him through the ropes and God agreed because He knew Job would endure. He knew Job would love and trust Him, wouldn't turn His back on Him, and would carry the cross He allowed. Satan buffeted, Job lost, and God smiled, then blessed Job's steadfastness. Oh, how I long to be that devoted and sold out! To carry a cross faithfully, not necessarily with a smile, but with conviction and a made up mind that God can trust me with anything.

After all, with every trial that comes into our lives, no matter by which avenue it may introduce itself, God is trusting that we'll lean into Him and come out a winner. He doesn't set us up for failure; what kind of loving father doesn't that to his children? Trials aren't meant for our ruin; they are intended to grow us (James1:3-4), to give us a testimony to share with other hurting people (2 Cor. 1:4), and to bring God the glory (2 Cor. 12:9).

I know you weren't sitting at my table last Thursday, my friend; however, I wanted to share this and document it for you and I to read later on. That's the beauty of written word, we can always come back to it. God thought it was important, thus we have the Bible. No matter what type of trial you are currently going through or will go through in the future, I pray this will give you a different perspective on your suffering and that you can look at Bible figures and know you're in the midst of great company. Most of all, I pray that you will allow God to use each test and trial to strengthen you and make you that vessel which He can trust to pour out His goodness and faithfulness.

Again, it might not be with a laugh and a sparkle in your eye; the crosses of this life are hard. And, we may fall to our knees and ask that age old question, but my prayer (and I believe God's too) is that we will come forth as gold because we've allowed God to carry us through as we become stronger in Him and more suited to bring Him glory. And, who knows, in one of our trials, we might just give the devil a big ole black eye. Regardless, we can be victorious, because God has made us so!

Be encouraged today, and share this with someone you know who might need a word today.

God bless you, always!