"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:15 "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." These are words boldly spoken by Job, a man intimately acquainted with severe trials and tribulations. He knew desperation, pain, disappointment, loneliness and loss. Many of us are familiar with Job's story. He went from a man of great wealth and a large family to a man stricken with terrible, debilitating health, all his children killed and his wealth and property destroyed -- all in one day! The question for you is this: when your life falls apart, can you say those same words, "though He (blank), yet I will trust in Him"? Though He takes my loved one, yet I will trust Him. Though He takes my health, yet I will trust Him. Though He feels far away, yet I will trust Him. Though He does not seem to answer, yet I will trust Him. Though He withholds healing and I am surrounded by darkness and confusion, will I still trust? How can we, like Job, trust Christ regardless of the dark storm facing us? Trust is a choice. But trust, like faith, must be based upon someone or something. As a follower of Christ, the object of our trust is Jesus Christ Himself. Trust placed in Christ will never disappoint. Choosing to trust Christ brings peace, strength and a resolve to endure one more day, regardless of how desperate our situation might appear from man's perspective. When I try to endure on my own grit and strength, I will eventually reach my limit. God will allow me to strive and eventually flounder when I attempt to endure on my own resources. Frustration and disappointment always result. But when I choose to trust in Christ, something entirely different occurs. I enjoy peace, a calmness in the depth of my being, and an amazing strength that carries me through the hardship. In short, God makes me "BeStrong", not myself! I encourage you to remember two truths regarding hardships in general. First, God will do whatever is necessary to make you into His image. Before the foundations of the world, He has planned to shape and mold you into His image. When you accepted Him as Savior, he did more than grant you eternity. He began a good work in your life (Philippians 1:6). He will do whatever is necessary in your life to make you into a vessel that represents Him; a vessel that will pour forth His glory and light before all men. And this "whatever" includes pain and hardship. Second, we have a very limited, finite, temporary perspective, but God maintains an eternal perspective, based on His eternal Truths. When I encounter hardships, I must understand that I do not see or grasp the entire, eternal perspective, and how my trials will make an impact throughout all of eternity. Recently, I spent several weeks in terrible physical pain. As days became weeks, my desperation for relief severely challenged my hope and faith in Christ. As I became worn and wearied, feeling surrounded by exhausting confusion, I started wondering, "Why is God asking this of me again?" "How can I possibly make it through to the other side of pain?" The Lord replied with a very simple answer, "Trust Him." I had to CHOOSE to trust Him even though I didn't understand why He was allowing the pain. He showed me that I couldn't understand all this pain was going to accomplish for His purposes in the light of eternity. He challenged that if I really believed He is Who Scripture says He is, then how could I do anything other than trust? If I grasped His character and heart for me, His daughter, how could I not trust? He is infinitely faithful, good, ever present and loving. He holds my whole life firmly in the palm of His hands. He will never fail nor forsake me. He is ever present in my pain. How could I trust any other? I was amazed at the change in my suffering after I chose to trust again. Yes, I still suffered physical pain, but everything else was different. The striving stopped. A supernatural peace enveloped my soul and spirit. I knew, with every fiber of my being, that God loved me and had good plans for my life. I knew He never makes mistakes. I knew He was present in my room as I lay suffering. I knew that this pain was temporary and would one day pass. I wish the English language had a better word for the wealth of hope I am trying to communicate in the word "knew". I want to communicate it means knowing with a certainty, with no doubt; a steadfast confidence; a strong anchor; a security. This knowledge increased my hope and faith in Christ. This hope is available to any who choose to trust in Christ. Dearest Friends, I encourage you to DETERMINE TO TRUST when the next storm rages in your life. Jesus Christ will never disappoint!
2 Comments
Jannell Farrell
4/1/2017 11:09:55 am
When I hear the word determined, my mind gives me the picture of the Scripture where Jesus 'set His face as flint' and went ahead into Jerusalem, knowing what He would endure. He determined that no matter what, He would fulfill what His Father sent Him to do. We have to set our face - set our minds on Him and endure whatever He brings to make us and mold us and shine through us to this world for His glory!
Reply
Dana
4/2/2017 02:01:34 pm
Well said!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Dana, Founder/CEO of BeStrong Ministries, desires to share the hope of the Gospel with everyone. Why a Blog?I debated about writing a Blog for some time. I am not anyone special, who has something new to say. However, I remembered the numerous times I was encouraged by the stories and testimonies of others. My desire is to also encourage or strengthen others by how the Lord has brought me through difficult times. I pray He strengthens you! Archives
May 2023
|