It is funny, well not really, that when you choose to follow Christ, your life seems to get more difficult. I was never a big believer in the, “Happy, happy, isn’t this a Blessed day, Christian.” In fact, I often found them shallow, and fake. It was like they were pretending, hiding the struggles, for fear, that the struggles meant they were not good Christians.
Believe me, my friends, good Christians struggle; look at the apostles, and the early Christians. If you look at the news you will see that many “good Christians,” are suffering, and dying around the world. As we get closer to the end of this world, the struggles and suffering will only increase. When the believers are Raptured up, those that become Christians during the time of the Tribulation, will suffer more than we can imagine.
James wrote;
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)
It is difficult to be joyful during times of trouble, trials, and testing, but if we remain faithful, and have patience, everything will work out in God’s time, according to God’s plan in your life. It is important to remember that your plan, is not necessarily God’s plan for you. I’ve been down that road, and while I learned some valuable lessons, and I have wasted years of valuable time.
When in doubt, ask God for direction. The answer may not come as fast as you wish, it may not even be the answer you want, but trust that God knows best. The answer may make sense, seem crazy, or impossible, but take that step of faith, get out of the boat onto the seas, and know that God can do the impossible with the most unlikely vessel.
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
John 4:35
Believe me, my friends, good Christians struggle; look at the apostles, and the early Christians. If you look at the news you will see that many “good Christians,” are suffering, and dying around the world. As we get closer to the end of this world, the struggles and suffering will only increase. When the believers are Raptured up, those that become Christians during the time of the Tribulation, will suffer more than we can imagine.
James wrote;
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)
It is difficult to be joyful during times of trouble, trials, and testing, but if we remain faithful, and have patience, everything will work out in God’s time, according to God’s plan in your life. It is important to remember that your plan, is not necessarily God’s plan for you. I’ve been down that road, and while I learned some valuable lessons, and I have wasted years of valuable time.
When in doubt, ask God for direction. The answer may not come as fast as you wish, it may not even be the answer you want, but trust that God knows best. The answer may make sense, seem crazy, or impossible, but take that step of faith, get out of the boat onto the seas, and know that God can do the impossible with the most unlikely vessel.
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
John 4:35
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