I'm going to repeat those words, many times.
Mostly they were circumstances of my own making. Sometimes they were the result of the curse of this world and the evil that is the temporary ruler of our planet. But sometimes the seasons of suffering were the results of the plans that God chose to change me into the person He desires me to be. "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
If it helps, here are some truths that I have learned through a lifetime of being molded by His hands.
1) I have to remember that He is good. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8) - Even when bad things happen, and they will, I can't ever lose sight of His goodness and His love for me. To doubt this foundational belief will result in all the other tenants of my faith falling down around me.
2) God desires to transform my heart, mind, and soul into the image of Jesus Christ. But I still have to daily renew my mind into the mind of Christ. There is never a situation where I will arrive on this side of eternity. But I know that there is nothing that crystallizes my thinking like tough circumstances. "As a man thinks, so is he." Proverbs 23:7) And at the intersection of each challenging circumstance is the choice to trust and obey or to follow my own path. It really is that simple, and also that difficult. My flesh longs to accomplish my will and balks at surrendering, no matter how powerful and loving.
3) God desires to change my heart. Sometimes He uses my blindness toward my true heart condition to soften my heart. My heart is full of pride and self-sufficiency and just like my mind I require constant re-calibration through His word to change my heart into what He desires. The danger here is at each crossroad I will choose anger and bitterness or gentleness and submission. "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26) Allowing my heart to grow cold and hard is a far worse fate than any circumstance I will ever face. I must allow God to change my heart because I can't transform it on my own.
4) God desires to save everyone on this planet. And He wants to use me to advance His kingdom here on earth! People are confused when they meet someone in the middle of hard circumstances that possess a countenance of joy. When He transforms our minds and hearts, He can use us to change the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)
If it helps, here are some truths that I have learned through a lifetime of being molded by His hands.
1) I have to remember that He is good. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." (Psalm 34:8) - Even when bad things happen, and they will, I can't ever lose sight of His goodness and His love for me. To doubt this foundational belief will result in all the other tenants of my faith falling down around me.
2) God desires to transform my heart, mind, and soul into the image of Jesus Christ. But I still have to daily renew my mind into the mind of Christ. There is never a situation where I will arrive on this side of eternity. But I know that there is nothing that crystallizes my thinking like tough circumstances. "As a man thinks, so is he." Proverbs 23:7) And at the intersection of each challenging circumstance is the choice to trust and obey or to follow my own path. It really is that simple, and also that difficult. My flesh longs to accomplish my will and balks at surrendering, no matter how powerful and loving.
3) God desires to change my heart. Sometimes He uses my blindness toward my true heart condition to soften my heart. My heart is full of pride and self-sufficiency and just like my mind I require constant re-calibration through His word to change my heart into what He desires. The danger here is at each crossroad I will choose anger and bitterness or gentleness and submission. "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26) Allowing my heart to grow cold and hard is a far worse fate than any circumstance I will ever face. I must allow God to change my heart because I can't transform it on my own.
4) God desires to save everyone on this planet. And He wants to use me to advance His kingdom here on earth! People are confused when they meet someone in the middle of hard circumstances that possess a countenance of joy. When He transforms our minds and hearts, He can use us to change the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)
It is a straight line from my joy in my suffering to God's heart. I may never know why God allows darkness and evil in my life, but I can trust Him to make something good, even in the middle of my most challenging times. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
The world around us needs to know that their life can have meaning and purpose. But that is not possible without the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In my weakness, God will shine brightest. "But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The world around us needs to know that their life can have meaning and purpose. But that is not possible without the transforming power of Jesus Christ. In my weakness, God will shine brightest. "But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
