I love the saying, "you don't sharpen an ax on a pound of butter! When everything is going well in our lives our heart is going in all different directions. When we are going through trials our hearts are seeking the Lord! Our hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of our life, being blessings in disguise.
Jesus' life was certainly not without suffering. James 1: 4, "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." We will learn patience which leads to endurance only after we have had something to endure. I think this Corona virus has been something to endure! But remember, God will bring good for those who love Him. 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." We cannot sharpen an ax on a pound of butter, that would be too easy!
All through life there are going to be times that we are going to be on shaky ground. And there will be times that it is so shaky that we are afraid of being swallowed up in a dark hole. During those times we need to know Whose we are! God has a way of shaking the world when He is at work. And I believe He is at work! Jesus’ death was such a dramatic event that even the earth reacted to it. The ground literally shook when Jesus died on the cross. Matthew 27: 31, "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split." We got to see the rock that split when we were in the Holy Land.
We can probably all name other times when our earth started shaking - a job loss, a marriage breakup, an illness, a death, a catastrophe, etc. During these times it is easy to doubt ourselves, God's plan and even God. We know that we are going to have shaky times in our life. 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." But take heart - there is something we can do to help us get through these times. We can keep our focus on the Lord. Psalm 16: 8, "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
God's Word is the most powerful thing we can have. When we are shaken up God can work on us. This is when He reminds us that He is the only Steady in our life. Hebrews 13: 8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." If we live in God's Word we will develop spiritual discernment which gives us guidance in making our choices and guarding us against deception. God gives us wisdom and enables us to help others. When God builds that trust with us He also gives us greater responsibility and opportunities to enrich His Kingdom.
Circumstances and emotions may shake us but we have a constant in our life! We have Someone that will hold us and never, ever let us go. Psalm 62: 6, "Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." The Lord changes everything!
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