Why do we try our best to avoid trials? Why did I, as a young wife and mother, just assume (wrongly so) that life would be easy, and rosy, and that all would go well? And why, even now - after we have walked through a share of trials and also have tasted deeply of God's sweet Presence in hard times - why does my heart still strongly resist welcoming new trials?
"We all suffer. Pain is unavoidable,
it's not a question of if but when."
(Glorious Ruin, author Tullian Tchividjian)
Why has it taken several weeks/months for me to even begin to accept that there is now a CaringBridge site set up with the name of our sweet 15 year-old granddaughter on it?
It is so painfully difficult to embrace trials.
Yet we read in James 1:2 ...
"Dear brothers and sisters,
when troubles come your way,
consider it an opportunity for great joy."
And I am learning - again - by God's grace and mercy - to open my arms, and open my heart to this new trial. And I know that I will not be left alone, and my granddaughter, and her family, will not be left alone in our tears. We will receive more than we can contain. Our tears will be real, and our joy will be real.
"Christ on the cross
meets us in our suffering and conflicts,
not in the promise to take them away.
He is simply with us in all our times."
(Robert Capon, quoted in Glorious Run)
"But we don't need answers as much as we need God's presence in and through the suffering itself. For the life of the believer, one thing is beautifully and abundantly true: God's chief concern in your suffering is to be with you and be Himself for you." (Glorious Ruin)
And our living in His Presence - "with" us and "for" us - is what we are made for. It just so happens that trials open the door wide - to receive more of what we are made for, and what we long for. Thank You, Lord, for walking with us so closely through the trials on this earth, and for filling us with comfort, peace, and joy - even in the midst of hard times.
Click to read more posts in this series - Held Secure: His Love in Times of Trial
Linking up with:
Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts and Home
Faith Filled Friday
And our living in His Presence - "with" us and "for" us - is what we are made for. It just so happens that trials open the door wide - to receive more of what we are made for, and what we long for. Thank You, Lord, for walking with us so closely through the trials on this earth, and for filling us with comfort, peace, and joy - even in the midst of hard times.
Click to read more posts in this series - Held Secure: His Love in Times of Trial
Linking up with:
Thought Provoking Thursday
Hearts and Home
Faith Filled Friday
I wish I had words to comfort you but you bless me by reminding me that God is with us in our trials. Sometimes I feel He is far away, but by faith I will believe the Word that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Thanks for sharing what God is comforting you with Cherry. Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting here, Cynthia - and I pray that you will sense His nearness amidst trials, and always.
DeleteCherry, thanks for visiting 'Three Way Light." We are 'neighbors' at Faith Filled Friday this week and I'm glad I found you. Your words are refreshing!
ReplyDeleteThe rain falls on the just and the unjust. Everyone is probably going to face a trial or two. Thanks for reminding us that Jesus is always there. :-) I am a neighbor at Thursday Thought Provoking. Hope you view my latest continued story which begins now. http://musingsbyrobert.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThere are few words to comfort the loss of a child. Only those of us that have experienced this know. I am so very sorry for your loss. It seems like the pain will never subside, it does over time. You find a new normal but she will always be missed. There will always be that part of your heart that will be missing. Cherry, you and your family are in my deepest prayers. If you need someone to take to, give me a call. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteKim, thanks for your visit here, and for your kind words! Gary and I know that you understand about loss, as you have gone through it with your son. Our sweet granddaughter is still with us, and her kidney disease will lead to a transplant within this coming year. Walking through this trial is difficult; yet, we are so grateful for God's strength and peace, even, and especially when we walk through hard times. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers as we walk this journey with our granddaughter, and her family ...
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