Trouble never Comes to someone unless it brings a nugget of gold in its hand

 Greetings to all my brother and sisters in Christ.  I have been absent for some time from my blog and I am rededicating myself to my blog to provide an inspirational piece weekly.  Today I wish to share some encouragement for those experiencing discouragement, trust issues and sense of abandonment from God.

I read something in my devotional recently that made me ponder upon its words.  It was simple…but impacted with so much merit.  “Trouble never comes to someone unless it brings a nugget of gold in its hand”.  How awesome is that?  I find comfort in those words, hope you do the same.

Often times, what occurs to us are of our own doing.  John Maxwell put it best when he said “I may not be able to change the world I see around me, but I can change the way I see the world within me.”

For instance.  Discouragement.  Often times we feel defeated and become discouraged.  How can we defeat discouragement? First lets see what Deuteronomy 31:8 has to say – “The lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV).

Often times when we fail to meet expectations of others, or ourselves, we often are tempted to lose hope.  Thankfully, on dark days when our strength is weakened and faith shaken, there exists a source from which we can draw courage and wisdom.  That source of course is god.  Isaiah 40:31 also provides comfort and a promise from god. “But those who wait on the lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (NKJV)

So please find comfort and do not be discouraged.  Upon God’s promise we can and should depend upon it.

From discouragement, we often lack trust in God and ourselves.  We all need to learn to trust God’s wisdom.  One story comes to mind to me in the bible where God’s wisdom was pre-empted and god’s best for us when not accepted can be less than what God originally desired for us and we accepted a lesser blessing.

In Isaiah, lets begin with chapter 38, verse 5. “Go and tell Hezekiah, “thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.’”

Before I go further, please permit me to say…is it not human nature to think that when we are experiencing God’s blessings, it is easier for us to think and believe God knows what is best? But when God allows sorrow in our lives, we often are tempted to question his wisdom.

In Isaiah, the Lord told King Hezekiah that his life was coming to an end.  God actually counseled King Hezekiah to prepare for his death and to make arrangements to turn over the kingdom.  (Not many are given such advanced notice to get our lives in order before our death, but King Hezekiah did receive such notice).  What does King Hezekiah decide to do? He pleas for his life, begging God to spare him from death (Isa. 38:3).  It is apparent that God loved King Hezekiah and his righteousness, in His grace, granted the king fifteen more years to live.  Now during these fifteen years, allow me to share with you all that had happened in a nutshell.

During those added years, King Hezekiah had a boy born, and this boy Manasseh eventually succeeded Hezekiah as king of Judah.  Hezekiah’s son Manasseh reigned as king for 55 years, as was the most evil king ever to rule over Judah (2 Kings 21:1).  Unfortunately, Manasseh encouraged the worship of idolatry throughout the nation.  He even passed his own son, that is right…his own son through fire according to the abominable practices of idolatry.  Manasseh shed much innocent blood during his reign; every part of the nation experienced suffering from his cruelty.  Manasseh’s wickedness provoked God to anger, but Manasseh ignored God’s warning (2 Kings 21:16 and 2 Chron. 33:10).

Each and every one of these hardships were a direct result of Manasseh instructions and/or actions.  And think about this for a moment.  All of these hardships were caused by a king who would never have been born if Hezekiah had accepted God’s will for his life!  And on top of that, Hezekiah’s extended reign led to Judah’s eventual defeat by the Babylonians (2 Kings 20:12-20).

So you see, so much suffering resulted from Hezekiah’s unwillingness to accept God’s will for him.  Believe me when I say this…God knows what is best.  Whether your circumstances are easy or difficult, you and I can completely trust His guidance.  In closing on the trust issue, Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best…”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Please also keep in mind, as God has a plan for each of us, it is also God’s Design.  Please let me explain…in Romans 8:29 “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined, to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”  See…our life is part of God’s grand design.  God has known about you and me and had a plan for our lives since before time began.  In Jer. 1:5, God knew everything about you and I before we were born.  Your life, therefore, has a destiny.

Each of us, including Jesus Christ, are to accept God’s will.  As you remember, Jesus Christ himself asked in Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”  God invites us to join Him in working out His will in our life – conforming to his image (Phil 2:12).  His will, not ours.

Please find comfort - - - I believe the purpose of our trials is not only to test our worthiness but also to increase it, just as the mighty oak is tested by the storms as well as strengthened by them.  Need to be men and women of courage; and be strong.  As for me, I pray daily for strength, endurance, perseverance and patience as I face my trial of being unemployed for nearly 3 years.  I never pray for an easier life – I pray to be a stronger person!  I never pray for tasks equal to my power – but pray for the power from above to be equal to the tasks.  This way, everyone will see God in me and I reap the benefits, but He reaps the praise and glory.

May each of you daily feel His presence, strength, and love, as well, be at peace and comforted by His presence and love.