Romans 8: 38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.A quick word for today. The love of God abundantly provides for my every need. It covers me in my sin, with His grace.
My small group was talking about suffering last night. We are doing the video series "Unstuck" featuring Francis Chan and a few author notable speakers and authors. How ungrateful I can be in my situations! There are so many people enduring loss, pain, and tragedy, and yet I, so often, complain that it's too hot, or that my life is so hard. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds," James 1:2 states clearly.
I want to remember this for the inevitable times that I must face suffering. It is a blessing from God. As hard as it is to grasp, God allows trials for our sake, to make us stronger. When people we love die, if they are saved we know they are in a better place. Yet we can take the pain and agony of dealing with their loss as if it is an opportunity to draw closer to God, learn more of him, and yes, discover joy.
Joy is not found in our circumstances, but in our God.
So I will praise Jesus in the easy, sunny, happy times and in the dark, painful, hard times for his constant love is present in each occasion. He loves me enough to let each day come. He loves me, yes, to give me struggles. For I can use these circumstances to demonstrate to the world that all I need is the love of God. Love that nothing and no one can take away from me.
In Him I'll find my joy.
In Him my dreams will become reality.
Keep dreaming :)
