Originally published Monday, 15 July 2013.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
The title alone should give you a tiny hint of where I’m going with this post. However, if you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m talking about the fiery tests and trials that we go through in our Christian walk. Some of you reading this may be experiencing something very tough in your life right now, and I want you to know that you are not alone. God is with you. Ok? Hold on and BELIEVE that! (*We’ll talk more about this in a moment). But then I’m also aware that there may be others who are feeling mighty fine today, and I totally understand that too. I’ve been in both places. Yet, wherever you are at the present moment, I pray that this post will help you learn how to walk through the fiery trials of life without getting burned.
Isaiah 43:2-3 (5) says, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel…Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” (NLT) This Scripture is so powerful when you’re either in a trial or sense that you’re heading towards one. This is God showing you through His Word that no matter what He allows you to go through, and no matter how heavy the weight of the trial may be, He will be with you. And not only that, but it won’t be so strong to the point that you can’t handle it. It will not overtake you.
Have you ever heard or seen these encouraging words before…“If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it.” It’s true! The Lord will never put more on us than we can bear. I tend to look at it this way. If God allowed me to go through it, then evidently, He knows that I can handle it in the strength and power of His might (Ephesians 6:10-11). I know in myself, I am not strong enough. But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
I’ll never forget when I was going through the hard trial of losing my father to lung cancer. It was a series of things happening for several months that surrounded his sickness. My sisters and I not only had to deal with the harsh reality that we were about to lose our father, but there were also the real life issues of strained relationships, financial stressors, legal things that needed to be taken care of, but most importantly…saving his soul. In the long run, our father accepted Christ, cried out for mercy, and went on to be with the Lord peacefully. To God be the glory! Yet, that did not happen without going through the fire.
It’s important to know that when you’re in a fiery trial or sensing that you may be going into one, that God is definitely with you and that it won’t last forever. It’s timed by God. I’m reminded of a Scripture that helped me tremendously as I was going through this in James 1:2-4 which says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you 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.” This one carried me! And the reason it helped me so much, was because I knew that although it was extremely hard for me, God had a bigger plan. I just had to wait and endure it all to see the full outcome. And it was GREAT!
Listen, no matter where you are with this, just know that God has a plan and a purpose for the hard things that you’ll have to experience in this life. We may not always understand it all as we’re going through it, but that’s when we have to step back and try to look at it God’s way. He sees the bigger picture, and that’s when our faith and trust in the Lord has to go into overdrive. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” He will bring us through it, because nothing is impossible with God…especially when we’re walking through the fire.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Thanks for reading! Feel absolutely free to ask a question or leave a comment. Tune in every Monday for new posts! And don’t forget to “Like” my page on Facebook and share it with friends (Search Inside Out with Courtnaye or visit www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org for more). I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! God bless!
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