How we see God changes how we see everything else in our lives! Because I have learned that God is truly the great I AM, Lord over all; I can realize that even the trials that come into my life are good. Those trials drive me to my knees where I learn of God. The more I learn of God, the greater I realize His Grace, His Love, His Majesty and His Faithfulness to keep His promises. Most miraculous of all, I find that over the years; He has through the deep valleys, taught my heart to rest secure in His peace and His joy. Therefore, my suffering really leads to joy; because, I find my joy in God. His presence is my hope and joy of life; overriding the pain of suffering.
Joy from trials, you might ask? Yes, great abounding joy that allows me to face a complex world with a heart overflowing with hope for each day. God allows the pains, sorrows, and even suffering in my life at times; not as punishment: but, rather as a catalyst that forces me to take my eyes off me and to place them on Him. So, how does that work?
PAIN THAT AWAKENS OUR SOUL
By nature, we tend to think too much of ourselves. We desire comfort, self-exaltation, and to have our voices heard above the crowds; because, somehow, we think ourselves the center of the Universe. This self-absorption, though natural; often stands in the way of our finding the very thing we desire, which is peace, love, and joy. When we continually see the world skewed by our selfish hearts; we become too absorbed with how the world affects our little world, instead of how we can truly impact or affect the world for the good of others. Pain and trials force us to awaken to the fact that I am not really the center of any universe and merely a part of a much bigger picture. God is the Creator, Lord of everything; and Sovereign over all. In Him can be found everything that is beautiful, righteous and good.
C.S. Lewis once said;
“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
EVIL EXISTS
Evil does exist! God is perfect righteousness, justice, truth, and light. Just as darkness is the absence of light; so, it is true, that evil is the absence of God. Our world has not yet plunged into utter darkness, totally ravaged by evil’s curse; because of God’s hand of mercy steadying the course of this world.
To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. Deuteronomy 32:35
One day, evil will be wiped off the face of earth forever; however, God steadies His hand of judgement so that one more person may have the opportunity to come to know Him and to be numbered among those who will spend eternity with Him.
GOD’S ANSWER TO EVIL
Because we live in a world filled with sin and evil; we are affected by sin’s curse. It is in that context that pain, suffering and sorrow does enter our lives; even, as followers of Christ. The difference is that God uses those moments of sorrow and pain to awaken my heart to see Him.
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, EVEN us, whom he hath called Romans 9:22-24
ROMANS 8:28-30
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
When I begin to comprehend the truth that God is LORD, the Great I AM; then, I see every trial, sorrow or pain that enters my life as an opportunity to draw closer to Him. Even in the center of trials, I can find hope, joy and peace in God. So, if you missed the last post, I urge you to once more read it. How to See God as Yahweh-the Great I AM
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]God’s presence is my hope & joy of life overriding the pain of suffering[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Just as darkness is the absence of light; so, it is true, that evil is the absence of God” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Even our suffering & trials become the catalyst to our greatest Joy in God[/tweetthis]
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.