This post is so important. It piggybacks on what I talked to you about yesterday; what you're enduring right now is not without purpose. Whenever God allows you to go through a tough test, it's because He wants more for you. The trial is not meant to destroy you, but it will accomplish three things: It will prove, disprove, and improve.
I'll explain further.
Prove
To prove, in this context, means to test or to try, in much the same way God did the Children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness for all those years. He said, "And thou shalt remember all the way which
the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee,
and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep
his commandments, or no" (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV emphasis added). You see, there are times when the Lord tests your faith by allowing you to endure hardship and struggle; then, through the trial, your faith is refined, and you learn to trust Him more.
Disprove
Each of us, at some point in time, has carried around false notions and misconceptions that have acted as major hindrances to our progress. Our belief system and our fundamental perceptions of reality have been molded and shaped by a variety of different people, as well as, experiences. Some bad... some good. But without God, we are unable to distinguish the good from the bad. We need Him to help us weed out warped thoughts and ideas that cause us to end up in an endless cycle of self-sabotage. As we endure painful experiences, our minds are transformed and renewed. We begin to see the truth. And although the process often wounds us deeply, after we allow God to heal us, we come back stronger, wiser, and more courageous.
Improve
Most of us are familiar with the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." We've also heard folks say, "Trials should make you better not bitter," right? Well, I want you to know that the very thing that seems to be the greatest source of angst, anxiety, and agony right now, just may turn out to be your greatest source of strength, wisdom, and joy. I know it may not seem like you'll make it while you're in the heat of the fiery trial. But if you don't give up, God will deliver you and elevate you.
I know He will.
I'll leave you with this: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4 KJV).
Thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
