I keep saying that! I am tired of the rain but I am trying to remember the rain falls on the just and the unjust! The rain can teach us a lot!
So many people are hurting right now. People are battling cancer; people are spending the last weeks with a family member dying; people are just waiting for a loved one to wake up from a coma; people are tired and feeling depressed; people are battling anxiety; people are grieving the loss of a loved one; people are fighting for their lives; people are lonely even though they are married; people are waiting for a medical diagnosis; and people have just received a life changing medical diagnosis. And that is just a few from my prayer list.
I am sure you can add a list just like this. Life is hard. We were never promised that it would be easy. In fact, just the opposite. We were told in this life we would have tribulations. Jesus and Paul promise there will be trouble in the life of a believer. Some of this trouble comes to everyone. "The rain falls on the just and the unjust." (Matthew 5:45).
John 16: 33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Some scriptures say, "but be of good cheer!" How can we be of good cheer with all of these troubles? James 1: 2, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God lives in our spirit. He is literally inside of us. God is restoring broken lives.
Remember, the rain falls on us all! No one is exempt from the storms of life. Romans 8: 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God will use these trials to better our lives. He will bring blessings from the trials. These trials will help us grow in God. We could never grow in Christ without trials.
We must trust God that He knows what He's doing with our lives. God may not want to change the circumstance but He may want to change us. He may or may not change the circumstance but we have to trust Him. Sometimes we may never have an answer for why something happens but if we go through trials, with God, then we know lots of blessings came from the trials. Even if it did not end the way we wanted. Ask God for wisdom to know how to handle this trial.
Asking for God's wisdom in your circumstance helps you to see the bigger picture. It helps you see part of God's overall purpose and plan. It helps you see the blessings along the way. 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This will give you the peace that passes all understanding. And remember James 1: 12, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." We can rejoice in the midst of trials because the battle has already been won.
As Bob Marley said, "Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. Let's feel the rain and learn from it.
Amen Jill, great job you are doing sharing your ministry :)