I consider myself to be a strong woman of faith. I take things in stride and have weathered some pretty tough times. I believe I am able to face whatever comes my way. I believe that. It is not arrogance to know that my God is my King and I am His child and that the plans He has for me are for good and not for evil. I believe there is a real enemy and that I have authority over him because the Kingdom I am in is above the kingdom he is in, and my King rules. These things are true. Saying all that, have you ever had a situation come up and wondered what possible good can come from this?
I am not facing anything catastrophic, I have had a bad round of the flu is all. It has been painful and exhausting. I'm not comparing myself to Paul the Apostle by any stretch, but all this makes me think of him. He suffered more than anyone I am aware of that walks among us today. At least I don't know anyone who has gone through anything like Paul. His life is a great example of what we should do in adversity. David is another one. He had battles on every plane. Physically, emotionally, spiritually; David suffered a lot in his life. These guys, and others, are good people to learn from. They always, no matter what, through it all, praised and trusted God.
There are so many scriptures I could put in here. Paul and Silas in the jail, David when his city was plundered and all he had was taken, Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego, Jeremiah's whole life, John, Peter, Steven: they were all testimonies and lessons for the rest of us, and there are many, many more.
Okay, so I suffered some. I cried like a baby and do not even know what I was crying about. I was stuck in my bed despite every effort to get up. I could not eat. I could not drink. When I was sure I was over the worst of it it came back with a vengeance. I was unable to do things and required help. Unable. That is not a word am used to, and I do not like it.
Why didn't I get the victory over ol' slew foot the first day? Perhaps my guard was down. Perhaps it is a measure of my character in adversity for me to look on later. I don't know everything! Some things I may understand when I am through with this, some things I may not, but this I promise, through this and anything else that comes along I will trust my God and praise Him. He will get me through.
I can think of so many more scriptures about standing strong, the suffering of others, the struggles and victories of the Bible heroes, the way things should be handled, and out of it all is this: stand firm, unwavering, and trust Him, and He WILL bring you through.
Psalms 27:13-14 ~ "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
Galatians 6:9 ~ "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Matthew 10:29-31 ~ "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
Romans 5:3-5 ~ "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
I would love to share and get into each of these a bit, and more, but my strength of body is fading as fast as my desire to write it all down is building. Maybe I'll get back to this some day soon, but for now I will just sum it all up as best as I can. What good can come of this? I can gain discipline, experience, revelation, a better witness, patience, testimony, hope, victory and glory in Him. What a small price to pay for all of that.
At the very least I can grow in strength. Let it not be said of me that my strength is small. What a sad testimony.
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