Peace

Every believer struggles at times with health or other issues and there are times when it can seem like there is no end.  In God’s Word it says that there is a time for everything but some circumstances seem to steal your joy and can contribute to anger and bitter feelings.

God’s Word says that there is a time and place for everything read Ecclesiastes 3:1-10, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.”

Here we see that there is a time for everything.  Think of plants, there is a time for pruning back and a time for growth.  You may think if I am pruning this plant I am not hurting it, but if that plant is alive how can we know if that plant feels pain or if it is hurting or not?  If the plant feels pain or not, we don’t do it to hurt the plant but to make it grow more beautiful; it is the same thing when we pull the weeds out of the garden, if we don’t they will eventually take over the garden and choke the plants and if we let it go long enough the garden will be nothing but weeds.  

The same thing happens when the Lord starts pruning His children.  Even if it hurts, it is only for our own good no matter how He chooses to do it.  I have been struggling for a while now and I thank the Lord for His faithfulness in pruning me back and leading me into the truth, which He does for everyone He loves that really seek the truth, this is called chastisement or correction.

Read Hebrews 12:4-13, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.”   

Sometimes when this happens people can become very angry and bitter, like I said, and some will forsake the faith, but if they just knew the scriptures and why this takes place many may have taken a different approach.  If you are truly a child of God, this more than likely will happen at times because the Lord loves you and is trying to make something beautiful happen in your life and something beautiful in you!!  It may hurt and you may not understand why whatever it is, is taking place, but remember the Lord is all powerful and no one can compare to him and nothing can happen to any of His children unless He allows it to take place.  Some of the problem is that we don’t hear sermons on this subject; most of our sermons are about easy belief-ism, telling people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear!!

I could go on and on but I think I have said enough today on this subject although there is much more that could be said!  May the good Lord bless you and yours and may all of you have a super day.  PS don’t forget to thank and praise the Lord for He is worthy!!