Time Of Trial

[Jermyn Davidson]

This afternoon, I am about to face a daunting task and I need the faith that comes from God for a miracle or the faith that carries me through when something very bad (that seems inevitable) happens.


How does one have the faith that the bad thing won't happen, when it seems inevitable?


How does one get through the bad thing happening without blaming God-- knowing that He was able to stop the bad thing from happening, but He didn't, choosing to let you suffer?



My mind goes back to the ancient martyrs. God was able to deliver them but He didn't-- allowing them to endure some of the cruellest torture.

And then He did deliver them, in death, but who wants to die?

Who really wants to die?


So are our trials a way of bringing death to our flesh? It seems like it for me, at times. There is a scripture that states that for the person who suffers in the flesh ceases from sin. In a strange way, suffering preoccupies my mind from the sin that is ever present. It's no secret that I struggle with sex. And since it has been the case for the last 3 Mondays to be days of increased temptation, maybe the trial is here to keep me from being so preoccupied with that same temptation that tries to trip me over and over again.


"God is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless," according to the scriptures. One way God exercises His power in our lives is through our trials. How many times have I prayed for the Lord to deliver me from my temptations? How many times have I fallen over and over to the same thing, only to have to look to my Savior for forgiveness again. I am grateful that He promises to forgive. However, I imagine that He wants for His children to grow and that growing can be painful.

Hence my trials today. Yeah I was tempted today, but to the extreme of the last few Mondays, no way, but I've got something I'm seeking God for today. I've got a situation that if He doesn't work out, I'll just have to... suffer without.

As I go through this, I don't want to become bitter. Being aware that my God has all power, I wonder why He just doesn't fix the situation. It would take a miracle at this point-- nothing short of a miracle. So I am bracing myself to suffer.

Is it bad that I am not expecting a miracle?

Probably so. I want to expect a miracle. If it was Sunday morning, I would be expecting a miracle. Now I am not saying God is not here with me, or that He is not able-- I'm just not expecting Him to do anything about this.

I think this is the wrong way for me to think. But after a person gets their hopes up over and over again for a desired outcome and that desired outcome doesn't happen, how does one keep believing that the desired outcome will happen?

How does one shake this feeling of impending doom?

I've prayed, I've tried to work it out-- but this is simply NOT in my hands.

The Bible tells us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. So I am strong, I'm not going to avoid the situation. I'll face it like a good Christian Soldier, knowing that my desired outcome is probably not what is going to happen.

Is this faith? Is this what it means to endure? How does one protect their faith when their faith becomes so bruised by the things of life that one can't understand?


I just don't know.


I do know that this seeming failure on the part of God can not be seen as failure in my eyes, though at times, I am tempted to see it as so.

His perceived failures are not failures. This is a fact that I know.

Well what are they then?


They are opportunities for growth and it sounds cheesy. It sounds horrible! I don't like the way it sounds. I don't like the way it looks. I don't like the way it feels! I don't like this at all!!! I wish it would just go differently, but it probably won't.

Am I supposed to believe that it will end differently than what I fear? How can I? Where do I get this kind of faith-- the kind of faith that completely disregards the circumstances and all it entails and all of the feelings of let down?

I think I am better off just to face the impending, without feariing it.

But I don't think that this is an example of faith.

For all my talk about faith, for every hearty amen I've ever given the preacher, for every song I've ever clapped my hands to and lifted my voice in singing-- for every time I've ever said and meant, "Lord, I believe", I can still say it. Even right now, I can say, "Lord, I believe."


But I should be able to say it and believe all of the implications-- believing that He is able to resolve the whole thing and leave no loose ends and do it quickly. I believe in Jesus.


In typing this out, I feel better about the dark cloud that still hangs over.




Jesus, help my unbelief.

[rgcraig]

God is bigger than anything on anyday!

[Jermyn Davidson]

God is bigger than anything on anyday!

Yes He is! I know He is!
:)

(not the fake smile you give someone in church as you walk away from them thinking that they just don't understand....)

I know He is bigger than the situation.

I want to believe that He will fix the situation in the way I desire. I know He is able to do that, but so often, He doesn't fix it like I want Him too.


I sound like a spoiled brat not getting my way.

[rgcraig]

Yes He is! I know He is!
:)

(not the fake smile you give someone in church as you walk away from them thinking that they just don't understand....)

I know He is bigger than the situation.

I want to believe that He will fix the situation in the way I desire. I know He is able to do that, but so often, He doesn't fix it like I want Him too.


I sound like a spoiled brat not getting my way.

Well, sometimes his way might not be what we want, but it might be what we need.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Well, sometimes his way might not be what we want, but it might be what we need.

My carnality is playing Queen's, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in my mind now.


Gee thanks Renda!!! :)

[rgcraig]

My carnality is playing Queen's, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in my mind now.


Gee thanks Renda!!! :)

LOL!!!!

[Scott Hutchinson]

Hang in there,I thought you can't always get what you want was a Rolling Stones song.

[Sinatra]

JD. I'm praying for you. Sometimes all you can do is pray as the man did in Mark 9:24

Below is one of my favorite commentaries on this scripture.

24. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe: help thou mine unbelief--that is, "It is useless concealing from Thee, O Thou mysterious, mighty Healer, the unbelief that still struggles in this heart of mine; but that heart bears me witness that I do believe in Thee; and if distrust still remains, I disown it, I wrestle with it, I seek help from Thee against it." Two things are very remarkable here: First, The felt and owned presence of unbelief, which only the strength of the man's faith could have so revealed to his own consciousness. Second, His appeal to Christ for help against his felt unbelief--a feature in the case quite unparalleled, and showing, more than all protestations could have done, the insight he had attained into the existence of a power in Christ more glorious them any he had besought for his poor child. The work was done; and as the commotion and confusion in the crowd was now increasing, Jesus at once, as Lord of spirits, gives the word of command to the dumb and deaf spirit to be gone, never again to return to his victim.

http://www.searchgodsword.org/com/jfb/view.cgi?book=mr&chapter=009

God Bless, Sinatra

[mizpeh]

We need to develop the attitude the early saints had...they counted it all joy to suffer in this world and glorified Christ in the process. They completely trusted God and praised Him at all times.

Rom 12:12, 2 Cor 12:8-10, Rom 5:3-5, James 1: 2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-14

[misspresley]

Everyone walks through those dark days - either with or without the comfort of our Saviour - our choice. The pain is real, but we walk on. The tears come, but we walk on. And we may never see the good that can come from it all, but God has the whole picture in sight, the end of the trial - we learn to trust Him more everytime we get to the light on the other side of that dark time in our lives. Being His child doesn't bring deliverance always, just the promise that He's with us, and He'll keep us. and we might even be surprised at the outcome! Be encouraged and hold tightly to His Hand. This, too, shall pass.

[easter]

Everyone walks through those dark days - either with or without the comfort of our Saviour - our choice. The pain is real, but we walk on. The tears come, but we walk on. And we may never see the good that can come from it all, but God has the whole picture in sight, the end of the trial - we learn to trust Him more everytime we get to the light on the other side of that dark time in our lives. Being His child doesn't bring deliverance always, just the promise that He's with us, and He'll keep us. and we might even be surprised at the outcome! Be encouraged and hold tightly to His Hand. This, too, shall pass.

misspresley I joined this forum last night.Strange you would post such a thing about sorrow.I lost my 19 year old son November 25 2008 and I can not even began to describe how dark these last 6 months have been.I don't understand the why of it but your right our Father sees the whole picture and I can only see dimly as through a mirror.Now if I can say that my spirit has climbed up unto the lap of my Father because this pain is more then I can carry.Thank you for this word of encouragement.

[*AQuietPlace*]

misspresley I joined this forum last night.Strange you would post such a thing about sorrow.I lost my 19 year old son November 25 2008 and I can not even began to describe how dark these last 6 months have been.I don't understand the why of it but your right our Father sees the whole picture and I can only see dimly as through a mirror.Now if I can say that my spirit has climbed up unto the lap of my Father because this pain is more then I can carry.Thank you for this word of encouragement.
I'm so sorry, Easter, I will be praying for you!

[Cindy]

misspresley I joined this forum last night.Strange you would post such a thing about sorrow.I lost my 19 year old son November 25 2008 and I can not even began to describe how dark these last 6 months have been.I don't understand the why of it but your right our Father sees the whole picture and I can only see dimly as through a mirror.Now if I can say that my spirit has climbed up unto the lap of my Father because this pain is more then I can carry.Thank you for this word of encouragement.

So sorry for your loss. It makes some trials seem trivial. Will be lifting you up in prayer.

Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.

[Scott Hutchinson]

We must hold to the hand of Jesus as we face things,I'm going through a rather awkward time of life myself.

[misspresley]

misspresley I joined this forum last night.Strange you would post such a thing about sorrow.I lost my 19 year old son November 25 2008 and I can not even began to describe how dark these last 6 months have been.I don't understand the why of it but your right our Father sees the whole picture and I can only see dimly as through a mirror.Now if I can say that my spirit has climbed up unto the lap of my Father because this pain is more then I can carry.Thank you for this word of encouragement.

That's just like God to give you words to remind you of His love and presence. My heart goes out to you over the loss you've experienced and happy that God would minister to you in this manner. How precious He is.

[Esther]

JD when you are dealing with tempations of the flesh, fasting is the best way to fight it. Stay in the Word and prayer. You need to read the Word so your faith can increase.

We all have areas of struggle. Fasting puts the flesh down, and our flesh doesn't want to fast. It wants to eat. Just as tempations of the flesh want to satisfy the flesh.

[Jermyn Davidson]

JD when you are dealing with tempations of the flesh, fasting is the best way to fight it. Stay in the Word and prayer. You need to read the Word so your faith can increase.

We all have areas of struggle. Fasting puts the flesh down, and our flesh doesn't want to fast. It wants to eat. Just as tempations of the flesh want to satisfy the flesh.

Thank you Ma'am.

I am discovering the value of fasting in times of temptation and trial.

[Jermyn Davidson]

misspresley I joined this forum last night.Strange you would post such a thing about sorrow.I lost my 19 year old son November 25 2008 and I can not even began to describe how dark these last 6 months have been.I don't understand the why of it but your right our Father sees the whole picture and I can only see dimly as through a mirror.Now if I can say that my spirit has climbed up unto the lap of my Father because this pain is more then I can carry.Thank you for this word of encouragement.


My trial was nothing compared to your loss.


I will pray for you and for God to continue to sustain you and your family as you all heal.


Thank you for helping me to put things in perspective.

Jermyn Davidson

[Neck]

This afternoon, I am about to face a daunting task and I need the faith that comes from God for a miracle or the faith that carries me through when something very bad (that seems inevitable) happens.


How does one have the faith that the bad thing won't happen, when it seems inevitable?


How does one get through the bad thing happening without blaming God-- knowing that He was able to stop the bad thing from happening, but He didn't, choosing to let you suffer?



My mind goes back to the ancient martyrs. God was able to deliver them but He didn't-- allowing them to endure some of the cruellest torture.

And then He did deliver them, in death, but who wants to die?

Who really wants to die?


So are our trials a way of bringing death to our flesh? It seems like it for me, at times. There is a scripture that states that for the person who suffers in the flesh ceases from sin. In a strange way, suffering preoccupies my mind from the sin that is ever present. It's no secret that I struggle with sex. And since it has been the case for the last 3 Mondays to be days of increased temptation, maybe the trial is here to keep me from being so preoccupied with that same temptation that tries to trip me over and over again.


"God is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless," according to the scriptures. One way God exercises His power in our lives is through our trials. How many times have I prayed for the Lord to deliver me from my temptations? How many times have I fallen over and over to the same thing, only to have to look to my Savior for forgiveness again. I am grateful that He promises to forgive. However, I imagine that He wants for His children to grow and that growing can be painful.

Hence my trials today. Yeah I was tempted today, but to the extreme of the last few Mondays, no way, but I've got something I'm seeking God for today. I've got a situation that if He doesn't work out, I'll just have to... suffer without.

As I go through this, I don't want to become bitter. Being aware that my God has all power, I wonder why He just doesn't fix the situation. It would take a miracle at this point-- nothing short of a miracle. So I am bracing myself to suffer.

Is it bad that I am not expecting a miracle?

Probably so. I want to expect a miracle. If it was Sunday morning, I would be expecting a miracle. Now I am not saying God is not here with me, or that He is not able-- I'm just not expecting Him to do anything about this.

I think this is the wrong way for me to think. But after a person gets their hopes up over and over again for a desired outcome and that desired outcome doesn't happen, how does one keep believing that the desired outcome will happen?

How does one shake this feeling of impending doom?

I've prayed, I've tried to work it out-- but this is simply NOT in my hands.

The Bible tells us to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. So I am strong, I'm not going to avoid the situation. I'll face it like a good Christian Soldier, knowing that my desired outcome is probably not what is going to happen.

Is this faith? Is this what it means to endure? How does one protect their faith when their faith becomes so bruised by the things of life that one can't understand?


I just don't know.


I do know that this seeming failure on the part of God can not be seen as failure in my eyes, though at times, I am tempted to see it as so.

His perceived failures are not failures. This is a fact that I know.

Well what are they then?


They are opportunities for growth and it sounds cheesy. It sounds horrible! I don't like the way it sounds. I don't like the way it looks. I don't like the way it feels! I don't like this at all!!! I wish it would just go differently, but it probably won't.

Am I supposed to believe that it will end differently than what I fear? How can I? Where do I get this kind of faith-- the kind of faith that completely disregards the circumstances and all it entails and all of the feelings of let down?

I think I am better off just to face the impending, without feariing it.

But I don't think that this is an example of faith.

For all my talk about faith, for every hearty amen I've ever given the preacher, for every song I've ever clapped my hands to and lifted my voice in singing-- for every time I've ever said and meant, "Lord, I believe", I can still say it. Even right now, I can say, "Lord, I believe."


But I should be able to say it and believe all of the implications-- believing that He is able to resolve the whole thing and leave no loose ends and do it quickly. I believe in Jesus.


In typing this out, I feel better about the dark cloud that still hangs over.




Jesus, help my unbelief.

I can share with you that I have been in this position in the past. Not always as the outcome of a mistake or sin. Such situations have come up many times with my oldest son. Who has a genetic disease. We literally have been to deaths door many times. I have learned that I do not need to understand the present outcome. I carry faith that is built on a completed work in Christ. Not based on individual events or moments in time. God has his hand on our situations and many times the outcome is greater than what we suggested to God should have been a result. Faith sometimes requires we go through the fire and not remove the fire.

[Jermyn Davidson]

I can share with you that I have been in this position in the past. Not always as the outcome of a mistake or sin. Such situations have come up many times with my oldest son. Who has a genetic disease. We literally have been to deaths door many times. I have learned that I do not need to understand the present outcome. I carry faith that is built on a completed work in Christ. Not based on individual events or moments in time. God has his hand on our situations and many times the outcome is greater than what we suggested to God should have been a result. Faith sometimes requires we go through the fire and not remove the fire.


Thanks for sharing.

I appreciate your words of encouragement too.

[ForeverBlessed]

I prayed for you today on my lunch break. Although not the same struggles, have been right where you are... and I pray that you have strength to overcome daily. Blessings to you.

[Sam]

Winston Churchill said, "When you are going through hell, keep going."