There will be times in your walk with Christ that the trials surge with power. However, lesser still are they than the power of Christ Himself. I have learned much through His Word, His presence, and His nature…yet the greatest lessons He has taught me has been through the school of suffering with the Holy Spirit Himself. It is the school of no time limits..the school where the education is sown in tears. Where the breaking of the heart becomes your greatest asset to Him. You will be tempted to quit…to give up..you will battle mental anguish..and likely alone. Yet His grace will be sufficient. It is where all changes for you. Your vision, your heart, your focus and passion. Also..your leaning upon Him becomes weightier..His lap becomes more familiar..and His voice more clear. Think not it strange friends as the afflictions come…in your times of struggle to go on read of Paul, David, Elijah, Jeremiah…you are in good company. Christ is growing a beautiful warrior.
Did Paul declare a “giving up”
Under thy greatest trials
Or David as he fled from Saul
Weary for miles and miles…
I see O Lord thy sacrifice
Of body, strength, and land.
That all must be yielded up to Thee
For nobler fruits at hand.
That in thy school of suffering
Is taught us to travail
For tis the time to trust Thee more
When all else seems to fail.
If on the altar I have placed
thy future..present..and past..
People, places, hopes and dreams
Wounds that seem to last.
If laid beneath Thy cross is All
Retaining nothing still
But open hands to yet endure
That which Father wills.
If in the valley I must stay
To keep me close to Thee
If it is where I hear Thee well
With songs and melodies.
If in this place of sorrow deep
Is intimate beauty seen
Then by all means keep me Lord
As long as you dearly please.
(Shelly Wilson, June 2, 2015)
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you..
1 Peter 4:12
