Have your ever felt like your all alone on a long, difficult, hot road that seems to be heading nowhere? Recent a friend of mine that I have not spoken with for several years emailed me. My friend is facing some serious physical and economic trials. In the observation of seeing others seeming doing so well, the chief question/problem was this: How do I know God even cares for me when I struggle so much and for so long? I am sure that there are many out there that have pondered this same question from time to time, especially when you look around and see others do so seemingly well and with less effort. I wanted to briefly share my reply as I know many people who are facing similar situations. I have edited to keep this letter confidential for the sake of my friend.
I hope and pray that the Lord will use this to re-focus our attention soley upon Christ and Him alone. Please feel free to share as Lord would lead.
Dear ------,
I have been thinking about this for several days. I hope and pray that this may be an encouragement to you and to me as well. I also hope and pray that this will spur us to fix our eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2-3). Although our situations are different, I do have some understanding of the physical and financial situations that face us in these rapidly declining days. I believe it to be best that I attempt to answer your question, as I am limited by letter, with the Scriptures and how the Lord has dealt with me over the last few years.
For the last couple of years my health has been on the decline. My joints and back are starting to pay for years of abuse and I have experienced a serious and sudden GI bleed only 2 years ago. Financially speaking, I understand the battles of living in our culture. With seven of us to feed on one income it seems the paycheck is never enough. Even in the last few weeks some of the hardest times have come against us, yet I know that the Lord is calling us to press onward towards the upward call in Christ Jesus. With all of this, a friend will be staying with us for a season. How do we press forward, only the Lord knows and I am sure that His provisions will be exactly what we need.
Some of the verses that I want to bring up you may know very well. It is good that we continually wash our minds with the Word of God; for only Christ and His Word can give us rest for His burden is not heavy. It is also good for us to remember that God does not change (James 1:17; Malachi 3:6) and His Word is all inspired by Him and profits us in all ways and in all things (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
One area the Lord has shown me over and over again is His great love for His children, those who have been truly born again by His power, grace, and Spirit. In Hebrews 12 the discipline of the Father is explained. Here is where we can begin to experience freedom in the midst of our trials, of course this will go on to complete victory as we praise God through our trials (having said this, because we are in a trial does not mean it is of God). Herein we can also see differences of true followers of Christ and those who make only a verbal profession to the faith, as Jesus puts it, "You will know them by their fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-20). This is one such fruit that must bear evidence on our tree. You see, many people think that they are blessed when faced with very little adversity, prosperity and comfort, but these things (although God does give us creature comforts and knows our needs) are not the evidences of salvation nor being blessed of God. When someone is never under the convictions of Christ and the Holy Spirit nor the discipline of God in regards to sin, then comfort, prosperity and etc become blinders to the realities of God and trade offs for knowing and walking with God Himself. Just look at the Sodom, "She and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but did not help the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50), look at their outcome. If one is not under the discipline of the Father, then they are not of the Father and "the wrath of God” still abides on such (John 3:36).
Even in recent days the Lord has had to remind me over and over again, "Son, seek first My kingdom and My righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33). My greatest need is to walk with Christ first and foremost and to be made holy (or sanctified) without which I will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). The Lord has been gracious to constantly remind me to look to Christ in all situations and at all times.
This then brings me to an area that I must pay full attention and grow in Christ. For when I encounter trials of various kinds, I must consider it all joy (James 1:2). But to do such from a pure heart, I must be about the business of putting to death the deeds of ungodliness and sin (Romans 8:13) and walk according to the Holy Spirit of Almighty God (Galatians 5:16-25). I have found that when I lack the wisdom to understand such a way of praising God in the midst of my trials and the killing of my old nature, I must ask God "who gives generously without reproach” (James 1:5), but the warning is that I must ask Him in faith without doubting (James 1:5-8). Again, I cannot do such without keeping focused on Christ. I find that there are far too many distractions begging my attention away from the narrow path of walking with the Lord Jesus Christ; and sadly enough, far too many professing Christians have proven themselves a rocky, thorn-filled, worldly-consumed soil having had the Word of God choked out and dried up - thus their salvation has been void.
In all these things, especially in understanding my circumstances, situations, trials and the inability to praise God during such, I have found that focusing on Christ is essential. I have also found that I need to fully trust upon and continually seek to understand Romans 8:28-29. These passages have been a great strength to me. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”
By the wonderful grace of God He has caused these verses to become alive and strengthen me. He will work out everything to my good ”“ that being my conformity to the image of Christ Jesus. Herein is the ultimate good!
One last thing I feel I must mention, the grace of God that was displayed in the person of Jesus Christ, that being true saving grace, "has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:11-14). Examining this true grace against my profession of faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) and knowing these truths is a great assurance of salvation. For if my faith walks, breathes, moves in accordance with the true grace of God, then I can trust the Lord who knows what is best for me.
May Psalm 143:10-11 be our prayer and cry of our hearts all of our days. "Teach me to do you will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.”
I hope and pray that this in some way will be a help to you. If it is ok with you, I would like to share this with others as well. Of course I will keep your identity private. I know many in similar situations.
Peace and blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior,
Jeremy
http://www.time2stand.com/blog/item/trials-where-are-we-to-look-2