Blessings Amid Trials
Wars, storms and pestilence have been a norm here on Earth. Some are far closer to home than others. It’s too easy to push things to the back, where they can be ignored in order to feel a semblance of peace in our day-to-day. Maybe we do this because it is too overwhelming and we don’t know what to do about it. Maybe we think nothing we do will make a difference.
As a Christian, I have one thing I can do in all circumstances. I can pray. I can petition for people around the world affected by natural or man-made disasters. Thanksgiving can be added because I’ve seen proof of God’s promises through prayer. There’s some pretty crazy and amazing stories I know of and some I’ve seen firsthand. Though He may not answer in the timing or way we expect, His answers come right on time with far more blessing than we could have gained if we had done it our own way.
I wake up every morning aching and wonder how much of that will remain after I get moving and stretching. He hasn’t healed me yet, but I know He can. I’ve seen cancer removed, the revival of a young man from a head injury that should have killed him, and other ailments cured instantaneously. I’ve seen relief come step by step. There are far more stories of people going where God leads despite of ‘fill in the blank’.
It takes your will to choose to believe. It takes effort to study the Bible, His word, to know Him better. His word explains His ways that are so far above ours. I don’t understand it all, but I know His promises.
One of those promises is that the nation who supports His chosen people, Israel, will be blessed. The nation that puts Him first as Lord, will prosper. What is going on now in Israel is scary and appalling, but I can help from my little corner of the boonies by praying as the foremost action. Prayer releases the angels to act on the behalf of those we pray for. One thing the church best be doing is praying for Israel, whether they are in good times or bad.
In my life, when I put God first, no matter what, He knows how to pilot me through any storm or trial. I wouldn’t be writing this blog or my novels with Christian themes without His leading. It’s possible I would not be here now if I hadn’t changed course to believe in Him. Despite all the people and things in my life that made it sound like the dumbest idea ever, I’ve never doubted where I stand with God. I’ve doubted what I should do and what church I should be in. At those times, I need to stop and thank Him for what He has done and pray for guidance.
Amid all the noise the world is throwing at us and all the end times prophecy talk going on, we need to stay focused on God first. He will help us discern what is going on. He will help us pray for the world and its people. He will lead us to what He made us to do in such a time as this.
It is so easy for me to hide out here in the boonies with little disturbance by others. I could put my head down and ignore the world, but God gave me the gift of writing. I can share what I know of Him in writing and even put it into a fantastical setting like C. S. Lewis did with Narnia. It’s my way to plant seeds of thought or water others already started. It doesn’t matter if I never know the impact this side of heaven. I have to share about Him and what is on my mind about how to live with Him as the Lord in our lives.
Push through the noise and find God. Let Him lead you. Will it make sense? Not all the time, but you won’t know the truth until you step out and try it His way.