Tag: trials and tribulations

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Pruning for Fruitfulness

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In all this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6

You may have learned at some point that wildfires actually can be positive for burning out old, dead wood and allowing for new growth.  God’s trials are our great refinery.  Every one of us experiences it.  But only Christians have the promises and therefore the hope for truly brighter days.  Only we have the guiding, comforting light of the Holy Spirit to remind us He is always with us.  

As the faithful we are led to forgive those who persecute us.  Not only forgive but to love.  Our fruit of our faith is joy, peace, patience, love, gentleness, kindness, self-control and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).

If during a trial you don’t have this fruit you have to ask yourself if you have truly surrendered to Christ.  Or are you, as Pastor Tim Keller once said, “Sitting in God’s seat”?  Meaning, are you the arbiter of “the ways things should and must be?”  Are you so angry, sad or distraught when, after you’ve determined what is best in your life, that it all goes so differently? You’re sitting in God’s seat. 

The secular world says, “There is no future so I must have all my happiness in the ‘now.’” When that inevitable trial or suffering comes, the worldly are thrown into despair.  They think life should always be good.  But as the faithful we should and must put our ultimate happiness in the eternal.  When suffering comes to us it is to be expected because we live in a fallen world.  On the flip side, when life is good, we should be thanking God for what is actually the “unusual.”

Gopher Holes

This garden we are all in has a lot of gopher holes that have been dug out by the world who live by fleshly desires.  Greed, selfishness, hatred, unforgiveness, unkindness, sexual immorality and more are the result of Satan’s pull on mankind.  And it all slams against us at one time or another.  Trying to pluck us from His hands.

But God.  

He gives us this beautiful promise: “And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20).  Jesus said this to the apostles as He sent them out to spread the seeds of the Gospel because He knew what they would face.  Death and persecution would follow them everywhere.

Is this all to just “get through” safely to eternity?  In one way, yes.  But remember those fruits?  We don’t have the fruit of fear and drudgery and timidity.  We have the fruits of what so many seek through self-help books and psychology.  Our trials help us learn to persevere and grow closer to God in trust.  They show us that He is truly worthy of all our praise.  He provides and protects until He calls us home.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

Beautiful Blossoms

So again, I ask, have you come out stronger in your trials?  Has your faith beautifully blossomed?  If not, it’s time to reflect.  To ask yourself if you missed God in the suffering and in the calm.  If you missed an opportunity for peace in the pain.  If you still seek to control outcomes and sit in God’s seat.  Are your roots at the surface or are they grounded deep in the love and knowledge of God?

You will face something difficult again.  He is trustworthy and has a plan for you.  Through your tears, ask Him to reveal Himself at work.  In your anxiousness ask Him to make your path straight.  In your heavy burden take up His offer to turn it all over to Him.

I promise you, because I have seen Him at work through many people, including myself, you will see your faith grow by leaps and bounds.  And the world will have a difficult time pulling your deep roots from God’s rich soil.

This week’s question: What promise of God have you relied on during difficult times?

Next week join me as we delve into the truth and the beauty of obedience and submission.

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Deeply Rooted

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“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” Matthew 13:20-21

Before we move on to another topic in our sanctification journey, I felt the need to look back at our first steps on the path.  These last few weeks we’ve discussed the importance of seeking knowledge in two ways – through group learning and individual study.  But let me clarify, all the knowledge in the world won’t lead you to Christ.  Just ask Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking.  The list of brilliant, atheist scientists and well-educated humanists show us that knowledge of the world, and maybe even some version of God, is not the enlightenment that brings us to our knees in thanksgiving to Jesus.

Throughout this series I’m writing to believers who have said they accept Christ as their Savior.  However, as a believer myself I also know the difference between drinking mother’s milk and eating meat.  And, how each step along my journey is designed for one purpose: to make me righteous and holy before God.  In other words, to simply bring me into a beautiful relationship with our Creator.

The scripture I started with today is our transitional on-ramp from knowledge of God to what the Bible calls “trials and tribulations.”  You see, in the parable of the Sower (Matt 13:1-13) the second (and really the first as well) person described is the one who says they accept Christ yet does not hunger and thirst for Him.  

Foundational Root System

He or she lacks the foundational roots to withstand being pulled out by the obvious and also subtle evils of the world.  They don’t know or understand God’s covenantal promises.  They don’t grasp the true nature of why Jesus came to die and rise again.  And many disdain learning of the beautiful character of God from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22.

Without this firm foundation we become, as it’s said in Matthew 8:26-27, “a foolish man who built their house on sand.”  They listen to the world tell them the Bible has numerous errors and can’t be trusted.  They hear strange interpretations or misuse of God’s Word and are sucked into mistrust.  And friend, that mistrust grows along with worries, fears and lack of peace.

I heard a Christian teacher once say, “It’s one thing to be an unhappy unbeliever but it’s a whole other shame to see a miserable Christian.”

You can see in the Sower verse the end result of lack of hungering for the Word of God.  When trouble or persecution comes, they quickly fall away  And let me tell you a truth we must accept about life – trouble comes for us all.

It Comes For Us All

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4

Believe me, I don’t think it was a coincidence that my mother passed away when she did.  It was all in God’s timing.  And He had prepared me for that moment.  I’d been a Christian for about 20 years but I was still drinking mother’s milk until about 5 years ago.  My roots were at the surface, ready to be plucked at any time.

I’d been angry with God (and my parents) a number of times during those 20 years.  In other areas of my life, I watched as my daughters experienced various social and medical pains, we experienced financial loss, and had our share marital struggles.  Through it all I seemed to have had just enough faith to keep me on Jesus’ path.  

I’m thankful that a dear friend asked me at the end of 2018 to start leading another Bible study group.  I had backed away from leading a year prior and was struggling to get my footing in a secure relationship with God.  So, at the beginning of 2019 our small, sweet Bible Study Girls began.  Within a few short months during a study, we were asked to evaluate our faith growth.  Each of us were amazed to see how far we had progressed!

You all know what happened next, since it happened to every single person on the planet.  Covid19.  So much fear and disruption descended on us for the next couple years.  A great trial that preceded the greatest trial humankind will eventually face.  

The scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13 was prophetic when Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.”  Because we know the sinful temptations, we all faced during that time were beyond counting.  For many, that trial overshadow other, everyday trials of cancer, marriage problems, addictions, lost adult children, and more.  It created new problems such as divided friendships, political outrage, boiling over anger from fear, and despair over church failures.  

My relationship with my parents deteriorated even farther as they sunk deeper into their fears.  They pulled away from society and life in general.  And my mother’s mental concerns grew.  Through this all I was learning to hold fast in trusting the Lord.  The Holy Spirit led me to a new prayer tactic.  I stopped praying for my relationship with my parents and instead I began praying for their salvation.  I prayed to love others better, as Jesus commanded.  

Stronger Roots

Let me ask you this, my friends: Did you come out the other side of COVID stronger in faith?  I hope you did.  If you didn’t, you may need to go back to step one in our journey – knowing God and His ways

Through seeking God’s word and direction, I learned in my trials to show love and forgiveness to my parents by continuing to offer help while being rejected over and over.  I learned how to love and be compassionate towards those who had fears which I didn’t understand.

My beautiful friends in Christ, you may be going through a terrible trial right now—I would love to pray for you if you want to share.  Lean into the Great Gardener.  Dig deep and plant your roots firmly in Him.  He will tend to your needs as you grow stronger and stronger.  

Next week we will take one more look at our sanctification through trials.

This week’s question: What’s something you learned about God during one of your trials?

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To Walk In His Steps

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“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”  John 17:15-19 

If you’ve spent any time reading my posts you’ve probably discovered I have had a difficult relationship with my parents.  My father, the atheist, and my mother, the rejector of all things “church” have led lives which saw an ever-decreasing circle of family and friends.  During the last 10 years or so, my mother set about turning her back on not only me but one of her granddaughters and subsequently her two grandchildren.  My dad, a quiet, unassuming man, felt the best way to keep the peace was to follow along.  So, one day he told me to stop calling and checking in because each time I said even, “Hello” his world would turn to chaos.

Much of what my mom set about doing was, I believe, due to mental illness as time went on.  However, I also came to realize she suffered from a life-long emotional need that was never fully met.  She desired love but just could never fully surrender to what that all entailed – time spent together, joy, forgiveness, empathy, giving freely, and even physical contact.

The Bible tells us emphatically to “honor your father and mother.” (Exodus 20:12 & Deuteronomy 5:16).  Jesus, in Gethsemane, told His Holy Father that He would suffer an excruciating death in order to do His Father’s will.  Well, I spent a lot of time with God over the last 20 years trying to figure out exactly what that meant.  I sought to understand what walking in Jesus’ obedient steps would look like in my life.

I may have said in the past that my process of coming to a “good place” with my parents went through all the stages of grief.  

  1. Denial
  2. Anger
  3. Bargaining
  4. Depression
  5. Acceptance

At some point I realized I was in the midst of this process because I grasped that what was happening was the death of something that God has ordained as good – the parent/child relationship.  When I finally stopped working so hard at getting their approval and love, I needed to see what God wanted out of me in terms of “acceptance.”  How could I show the love of Christ and glorify Him in my steps?

The LORD, was sanctifying me through a very personal and long-term problem.  I knew the acceptance of the situation still meant I needed to obey His Word.  That became obvious during COVID and my prayer time.  My prayers turned from “please fix them” to “how can I best love these folks that gave me life?”  I obeyed when He showed me the way.  And even though I was turned away so often, I was no longer hurt because I knew I served Him well.

Last year, the LORD moved this situation into a new realm.  I truly believe He saw I was ready for more Kingdom work.  On July 11, 2024 a family friend called to tell me my mom had suddenly died from an aortic embolism.  My father had called him to get a ride home from the hospital.

As I rushed to my parent’s home to meet my dad, I didn’t know what to think, what to expect.  But I knew God had shifted my life and I was ready to embark on whatever new path of sanctification He was taking me.

As I stood next to my father, who sat stunned in our friend’s passenger seat in his driveway, I felt God’s powerful presence leading me to complete forgiveness, compassion and love.  I embraced my dad and we cried together.  I took a big leap forward that night on my way to Jesus’ desire of holiness in me.

I’ve hopefully set the framework of why we get sanctified and by whom in the last few posts.  Over the next few weeks, I’m going to show you some practical ways the Holy Spirit, given through Jesus’ death and resurrection, calls us, speaks to us, guides us, and comforts us as we are being sanctified.  Lessons learned over the last few years, especially the dramatic turn of events in my life last year.

We will walk through these 5 potential spiritual growth areas:

  1. Knowledge
  2. Trials
  3. Obedience
  4. Wisdom
  5. Stewardship

So, I hope you join me next week as we stride our way into our first topic of knowledge – the way to gain it and use it to bring us closer to our God Almighty.

This week’s question: In absolute honesty, where do you turn to first when you have questions about the Christian faith?

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On Being Sanctified

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"...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 2:5

What’s the difference between discipleship and sanctification?  If you’ve been justified why does any of that matter?  You might even ask what does it mean to be justified?  Is your faith a private or public matter or maybe both?  Are you prepared to hold fast to Jesus during the trials of life or are you worried that you might lose your faith when disaster strikes?  Did you lose faith when disaster struck?  And when someone sees that cross dangling from your neck or wrist are you prepared to give biblical answers about God?  Lastly, has your church, if you attend one, been at your side to help you answer all these questions?

A few of my friends volunteer with an online Christian ministry that helps both believers and non-believers find answers to some of the most fundamental questions about our faith. Of the 38 students I’ve worked with over the last eight months, nearly all identified as Christians. Yet, without fail, they all admitted that they didn’t truly know the God they claimed to follow. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. A nationwide survey found that only 1% of churches have active discipleship programs—programs specifically designed to strengthen our foundational understanding of Christianity. These programs aim to fulfill Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19: to make disciples.

But really, what is the goal of all of this?  It’s two-fold.  The first is sharing the Gospel across our communities.  But the second, seemingly most overlooked part of the job for our churches and each believer, is helping our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ remain steadfast and on the narrow path.  In other words, becoming more Christ-like or sanctified.

I’ve gone through quite the trial these last few months and I’ve come to realize how much work, not only I had put in, but was put in to me to help me through it.  There was death, deep forgiveness, immeasurable love and patience, a church loss, joy, and tears.  Holding my hand through it all was the gift of the Holy Spirit, the teachings of God’s Word and many, many fellow believers (some who know me well and some who will never know me at all!).

When life took an unexpected turn last year, I had just finished my last series, “30 Days of Worship.”   I missed writing and missed connecting with all of you. I found myself gazing longingly at my computer.  But God whispered, “Not yet.  I’m teaching you a new thing.”  So here I am, still in the midst of my new thing.  But looking back to what I have learned, ready to do my part in discipleship.  Sharing with you the Good News and how we can hold fast to it.

I hope you join me over the next month or so as I share with you my new series, “On Being Sanctified.”  Why? Because we can all use a little help getting through the fires as God purifies our hearts, preparing us for the day we see our LORD and Savior face to face.  Please follow the blog for my posts and share with your friends!  

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Day 7 Thank God I Do

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But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.  Philippians 3:20-21
Those the Lord has rescued will return.
    They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 51:11

The last five years or so have been a hard road for many of us.  We have the ever-looming backdrop of the COVID years which still seems to find its way into many of our conversations.  Businesses ruined, relationships lost, precious time with loved ones taken away, social and educational interruptions — the effects will be us for some time.  But that was just a moment in time, really.  

Sickness, depression, death, loneliness, financial struggles, relationship pains have been with us since the beginning of our time outside Eden.  We so easily can live afraid.  Some do.  They don’t leave their homes or they pull back from others afraid of being hurt or damaged even more.

As a Christian we are not immune to these trials.  According to Jesus we should expect more problems when we put our trust and faith in the Lord.  We end up bucking the systems, cause rifts in our families and friends when we don’t just “go along.”  

But as this song reminds us, thank God we have Him.  Thank God He gave us the Holy Spirit to comfort us, to guide us, and to counsel us.  He creates a “new self,” sloughing off our old self – transforming us one day completely into crown wearers.  Giving us the hope that so many don’t have that on that day we will walk into heaven singing in gladness and joy because all our pain is gone, forever.

In the meantime, we can rest in God’s daily provisions for our life, our daily bread.  He holds us close in His hands.  He is our safe place, our hideaway, our anchor, our saving grace, our constant.

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Fiery Trials

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Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12

There’s a famous line in the movie Animal House, “Thank you, Sir!  May I have another!” which the college students must say as they receive a paddling in order to become members of the fraternity house.  This scene always comes to mind when I read about the trials and tribulations we most certainly will face as followers of Jesus.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

James especially brings this message home – not only will we endure trials but we should enjoy them!  Of all the lessons and directives in the Bible I think I find this one of the most difficult.  In my more “infant” Christian stage it could take me months or years to see the blessings from a fiery trial.  But as I have progressed in my faith journey I’m working to shorten that time span.  My goal? To be in the moment of trials asking God to show me the lesson and blessing.  And not only that, to try and be a blessing to others while things aren’t going so well for me.

The dark moments of our life will last only so long as is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us.  

Charles Stanley, 30 Life Principles

I  don’t know about you but I’m taking this to heart these days.  I want to accept the lesson as quickly as possible.  And while I’m not begging for trials, I know for certain they will come.  I’m so thankful He has given us opportunities to improve our hearts and minds, our relationships with other people, and with the Creator Himself.  I heard Joyce Meyer say the other day, “When we are in the midst of a trial we get thrown at God.”  And I’m thankful when we are thrown into the midst of the fire He is right there reaching for us.