Trials

Lately, my life has been one of many various trials. Personal, emotional, physical... it sometimes seems like they've all come at me at once. And during this time, it has been tempting to let my faith waiver. It gets discouraging, frustrating, overwhelming, depressing... when I look at things through my own feelings and flesh.

Thankfully, the Lord has had His hand on me, reminding me that He is my comfort and my strength, despite whatever my feelings and my flesh try to tell me. One thing about the Word of God that I love so much is how alive it is. I can read a verse one day, and not much will stand out to me, but suddenly another day, its a verse I cling to for dear life because of the wisdom and encouragement it holds. On such a verse I came across yesterday, while I was crying out to the Lord for wisdom regarding what's been going on in my life.

Romans 8:18-31

18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?

25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Our Victory in Christ

26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

28And 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.

29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

What encouragement there is in these words! Yes, this life will have troubles, trials, sickness, difficulties. But we don't have to be dragged down by those things - we have hope! Hope in Him who has redeemed us, and hope in His kingdom to come. In all of eternity, these struggles will seem small compared to the glory we will know when we are finally united with Him.

Until then, I will trust in Him, knowing that He is working in me, as difficult as it sometimes is, to mold me into His image. I surrender myself to Him and wait with excitement and hope for His return! I am so grateful for His love and forgiveness.