How To Make The Most Of Your Trials

Many Christians think that the trials and tribulations we face are evidences of God’s displeasure with him or her. He or she might be thinking, “If I’m careful enough to avoid sinning, that should give God reason to protect me from ever having to suffer or face discomfort of any kind… right?” or “I had to have done something wrong if I’m suffering… haven’t I?”

But that’s not the way that God operates. Even the most virtuous Christian men and women suffer at one time or another during their lives. But that hardly seems fair. So why would God, being a fair God, make us undergo trials then?

Since God wants to teach us to rely solely on Him and quit trying to fix everything ourselves, he uses our trials to draw us closer to Him, to help us develop perseverance, and to purify us like gold that’s been purified in the fire. Will we become angry with God, or will we turn to the Lord and say, “Okay, God, I don’t understand what’s going on right now, but I trust You to work everything out for the good of all concerned.” Hebrews 5:8-10 tells us that even Jesus, who was sinless, suffered through trials so that He could be made perfect.

Further, God tests us to see how we’ll handle disappointment, delays, and hardships. The mark of a mature believer is what he or she does in the midst of suffering. For now, we’re going to travel back to the Old Testament where we can examine the life of Joseph to see what he did so we can learn how to persevere in the face of trials.

At the age of seventeen, Joseph, the son of Jacob, was sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt (Genesis 37). Could you imagine having to go through something like that? I can’t. I know I would be indignant to say the least.

So what happened? What did Joseph do? After he was sold to Potiphar, after he became Potiphar’s slave, he did everything that was required of him. I can imagine that there had to have been layer upon layer of trials and tribulations for Joseph during this time. It must have seemed like there would be no end to them at times. Surely, he made mistakes; innocent mistakes no less, and was disciplined harshly for them. Since Egyptians considered Hebrews to be lower than dirt, I have no doubt that Potiphar and his family spoke to him like he was a piece of refuse.

Despite Joseph’s lowly position in the world, the Lord blessed everything he did. When Potiphar, who was a non-believer, saw that Joseph was blessed by God, he put everything he owned under Joseph’s authority. Everything, except what he would eat, was given to Joseph to take care of (Gen. 39:2-6).

Why? How could this have happened to Joseph even though he was considered a lowlife in Egypt? Because Joseph remained faithful to God. The entire time that he was in bondage, the whole time that he was nothing more than a lowly slave, he kept his eyes on the Lord. And no matter what, rather than become discouraged, grumble or complain, he worked like he was working directly for the Lord. In his mind, the Lord was his employer.

On top of that, he knew that seeking the approval of God was much more important than getting Potiphar’s or any other human’s approval. He looked to the Lord for his reward, his eternal reward, while he gave God all the credit for everything good.

Just like most things in life, his rise above his tribulations didn’t happen immediately, but it took time, many years worth of time. Do you have a boss that’s driving you crazy or are you becoming impatient for that raise or promotion? Perhaps your boss promised it to you, but it never happened. Ask God for perseverance and determination to see things through or lead you in another direction. Perhaps your calling is not to be in a position of authority, but maybe God wants you to be right where you are. Pray that God will show you what your calling is and then pray for the courage to go in that direction.

In Genesis 39, we see how Potiphar’s wife makes numerous sexual passes at him. Even though Joseph was young and handsome, and no doubt had physical needs, rather than give in to lust, he dug in his heels and stubbornly refused. The key verse is in Genesis 39:9 where Joseph asked Potiphar’s wife, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Joseph had a healthy fear of the Lord that prevented him from committing fornication and adultery with this woman. Once again, he proved himself faithful to the Lord.

So what happened as a result of his refusing to sin? He was thrown into prison after Mrs. Lustful lied about him by telling her husband that Joseph attempted to rape her. So much for his rise to power. Now he’s a low-down prisoner with no hope of ever getting out. All of his hard earned recognition and favor was swept away, thrown into the sewer because he remained faithful to God. Undoubtedly, he was beaten, humiliated and treated worse than ever in prison.

However, later, Joseph found himself second in command to the prison warden. The warden put him in charge of everything and everyone. Amazing!

Again, how in the world did Joseph gain the favor of another nonbeliever and everyone else that knew him even though everyone thought he tried to molest Potiphar’s wife? The key to his success is in Genesis 39:20 where it says, “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him." With all he had, with everything inside of him, Joseph he clung to God’s promise that He would be with him no matter what he would be forced to endure. Though he couldn’t see God, or even reach out and touch Him, he knew that God was right there with him.

On top of that, rather than let discouragement gobble him up whole, he trusted God to work everything out while he worked like he was working for the Lord, because that’s Who he was really working for, and seeking to please. Through thick and thin, God is with us too.

Some time later, Joseph became concerned for two men who were in his charge. One happened to be Pharaoh's chief cupbearer; the other was his chief baker. Both men had had disturbing dreams the evening prior and neither knew what they meant. Being in prison, since no one would have much to do with them, they had no hope of having their dreams interpreted.

Out of concern, Joseph approaches them and says, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams," (Genesis 40:8). So they tell Joseph about their dreams, and once Joseph interprets the dreams accurately, he asks the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh, and see if he could help get him out of prison. Do you think the cupbearer remembered Joseph after he was sprung from that jail? Not on your life!

Two years pass before Pharaoh has a terrible dream and no one in Egypt is able to interpret it.

“Oh yeah… I was supposed to tell Pharaoh about that Joseph guy,” the cupbearer must have thought just before he mentioned Joseph by name.

Figuring that there’s nothing else to lose, Pharaoh calls Joseph to interpret the dream.

Genesis 41:16 tells us how Joseph answered, "I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." Then when Joseph does interpret the dreams, he tells Pharaoh, "God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.”

So what happened then? Without hesitation, after Pharaoh realized that Joseph was correct, he put Joseph in charge of everything in Egypt. Second to Pharaoh, he was The Man.

But why? Why would someone like Pharaoh hold Joseph in such high regard? First, while Joseph was forgotten in prison, he didn’t complain or blame the cupbearer. I doubt he even became angry with him for his negligence. Secondly, Joseph gave all of the credit to God so God blessed him tremendously.

Just before Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, he didn’t recognize some other god that couldn’t care less if Joseph and everyone else rotted in hell for eternity or not; he gave the credit to the maker of everything, Who is Father to all. For that, for his faith in God and his obedience, and for his faithfulness in the small things, he was given the position of such high authority. Not only that, but Pharaoh gave him an Egyptian wife. And she was probably drop-dead-gorgeous.

We’re going to veer off the main road of this article for a moment while we examine why God would have permitted Joseph to marry an Egyptian. I believe it’s because God knew that Joseph wouldn’t choose to follow pagan gods, that he would remain faithful to his calling which was to not only be a famous man in Egypt, but to be a husband who would also be a spiritual leader in his home. God knew that Joseph would teach his wife about Him and that she would become a believer.

If Joseph hadn’t done what he was called to do in his home, I don’t believe for an instant that God would have blessed him with his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who would later be adopted by Jacob and integrated into the twelve tribes of Israel in place of Reuben and Simeon (Gen. 48:5).

Now back to the story: While the famine was in full swing, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt from Canaan to buy food. Let me tell you: Meeting his brothers for the first time in so many years must have been quite a trial! But it wasn’t for Joseph. He didn’t think twice about helping them. Sure, he could have been cruel to them by refusing to sell them grain, but he didn’t. Nor did he charge them double like he could have done. After testing his brothers a little, he was more than happy to help them in their time of need. In fact, he returned their money to them as they were leaving.

What was his reward for putting his full trust in God? His entire family was restored and lived in peace with each other and the Egyptians for many years. His entire family was prosperous.

Later, after Joseph’s father died his brothers were terrified that he might seek revenge for what they’d done to him all those years ago. But did he? Absolutely not! The key to his mindset is in Genesis 50:19 where he said, “Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Joseph left revenge out of his thinking while he leaned on God for strength and understanding.

Rather than give in to his human nature by repaying evil for evil, he trusted God to see him through everything and to turn all of the bad stuff that had happened to him into something good, something beautiful, and that’s exactly what God did for him. His family remained intact and the world was all the more blessed by his actions.

Unfortunately, when a new Pharaoh took over, he thrust them into slavery (Exodus 1).

Had Joseph not set a godly example for his descendants, had Joseph been rebellious, bitter or angry over what happened to him, his children would have reacted the same way when the Egyptians made them slaves. The result would have been disastrous as the Egyptians surely would have wiped Israel out.

Because Joseph was obedient to God; because he trusted the Lord, that obedience and faith was passed on to his children, his children’s children and so forth. Because they clung to God and His promises, their nation grew. Even though most of us aren’t Jewish, we have Joseph to thank not only for his example, but also for the fact that we’ve been adopted into God’s family.

Below, I’ve listed several things that Joseph did in the face of his trials so we can see what we should do when we’re being tested:

1. Through it all, Joseph didn’t concern himself with what men thought of him; he concerned himself with what God thought of him.

2. While he was a slave, he didn’t grumble or gripe about his situation; he made the best of it. His word was good. In every job that he had undertaken, he did what he pledged to do. He worked like he was working for the Lord.

3. Joseph was a man of integrity. Nowhere does it say that he stole anything from anyone even though he had ample opportunities to do so.

4. Despite being tempted numerous times, he ran from temptation when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. He didn’t flirt with sin; he didn’t skirt around the edges of it and become friendly with it like Lot did when he moved near Sodom and then into the city of Sodom, he literally ran from sin (Genesis 39:12).

5. Even after he was falsely accused of rape by Potiphar’s wife, and then thrown into prison, he went so far as to comfort others that needed comforting (Gen. 40:6-7).

6. When his brothers who had sold him into slavery came to him for help, he helped them. He wasn’t bitter or resentful. He forgave them completely because he recognized the fact that what they meant for evil, the Lord used it to fulfill His purpose, which was good (Gen 50:20).

7. He believed in and leaned on God and His promises.

8. Joseph didn’t allow himself to become corrupt when he had absolute power. Instead of putting his faith and trust in the things and people of the world, no matter how bleak and dismal things may have looked from time to time, he pinned his hopes and dreams on the plan that God had for him. He always looked forward to his eternal reward.

9. He didn’t worship the gods of the Egyptians. Doing so would have caused him to be unfaithful to the Lord. But to be idolatrous, we don’t have to bow down to a false god: All we have to do is consider money, fame, or any other thing to be more important than the Lord.

Now that we know what we can do right when we’re going through adversity, now that we know what we can do to live a life full of God’s that coincides with, we’ll take a look at the surefire ways that we can throw away God’s blessings on our lives:

1. We can gripe, complain, and blame God and everyone else for anything that happens in our lives that we don’t like. But that would only make things more difficult for us and drive a wedge between us and God, and between us and other believers.

2. We can live for the approval of other people. However by seeking the endorsement of men, we’re disobeying the first commandment which is to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls and minds; we’re loving other men more than God (Mark 12:29-31).

3. We could be wishy-washy: We could trust God one minute, and then find fault with what He’s doing in our lives the next. But again, that would just make our trials all that much more difficult.

4. We could be unfaithful with everything God gives to us, but then again, He would take things from us that we don’t even have (Matthew 25:29).

5. We could flirt with sin or we could even keep on sinning. That would make the devil really happy!

6. We could ignore God, and not seek to know Him. Doing so would keep us in spiritual infancy for the rest of our lives, unfortunately.

What it all boils down to is that what we do in the midst of our trials helps define our walk with the Lord. Since our trials are opportunities to learn more about God and to draw closer to Him, with our eyes on the Lord, always wanting to grow up in Him, let’s do what James recommends in the first chapter of his epistle, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We must always thank the Lord for our trials as we march forward in the Lord always looking forward to the day when we will meet Him face-to-face. But until that day, in order to make the most of our trials, we should never be afraid to ask God for the perseverance and wisdom to get through it while asking Him to help us learn from the experience. By doing so, we’re reaching through the storm and taking God’s hand so He can lead us out of it.

The most important thing though is that if we can bear in mind that our lives here are only temporary, and that our suffering is only be for a little while compared to the glory that awaits us in the hereafter, and if we can cling on to our pure, raw faith in the fact that the Lord will see us through, we will please God because it is by faith only that we can ever hope to please God.

Copyright 2009 Sandra Purdue, A.K.A. The Bossy Church Lady. You can use whatever I write for whatever purposes as long as you don't take credit for what I've written.

Guest Article

PRAYER TRAINING IS LIKE POTTY TRAINING

My son has reached that age. The daycare worker gives me a checklist for potty training. It reads:

1. Introduce him to the concept. Read him books.

2. Demonstrate the technique. Let him observe you/your husband peeing.

3. Let him get used to the idea. Even if he doesn't potty, put him on the potty and let him sit there for a few minutes.

4. Set up a process. Give him juice/water regularly and 15 minutes after he drinks, sit him on the potty.

5. Reward him appropriately. Give him praises, stickers, hugs when he does perform.

Strangely, it reads like the prayer checklist I jot down from a recent teaching on the subject. It reads:

1. To learn about prayer and praying, read the Bible.

2. Watch how others do it, and mimic them.

3. Take time to pray. Even if it just to sit quietly for a while or recite the words of the Bible.

4. Set up a regular time and place to pray.

5. God will reward those who diligently seek him.

Well, I guess with time and proper training, as it is with going to the bathroom, prayer can become a natural and integrated part of anyone's daily life.

Copyright 2009 Annie Glasel. Just a visitor here on Earth, Annie Glasel married a man whom God called to move from Los Angeles to a small unknown town in Mississippi with a population of less than 2500. This caused her to have lots of "free time" to answer the call to write. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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The Bossy Church Lady's Newsletter For New Christians

02-14-2009

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."
1 John 3:16 (NIV)

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In This Issue

><> The Greatest is Love By Rebecca Livermore
><> HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN? by Mariane Holbrook
><> Be HIS--A Valentine's Devotional by LauraLee Shaw
><> Resources

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Guest Article

The Greatest is Love

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV).

Faith: Without it, there would be no Christianity, or any other religion in the world for that matter. We talk of coming to faith in Christ, living a life of faith, and often laud those in Scripture and in modern times who are known for their faith. The value of faith cannot be disputed. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 states, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" Without faith, we couldn't come to Christ, and without faith, we couldn't walk in obedience to Him. Faith is what often gets us through times that are tough. In a sense it is closely related to hope.

Hope is what keeps us going when whatever situation we are facing seems impossible. Hope is the expectation that we will obtain something specific we desire. Think of how life would be without hope. Hope is there for the single mom who doesn't know how she is going to feed her children and keep a roof over their heads. Such a woman desires a better life for her children, and is filled with the expectation of what it will be like to see that dream fulfilled. She might give up, if it wasn't for the hope that some type of breakthrough was right around the corner. Dreamers and visionaries are filled with hope. It is a gift from God that can help bring joy in the midst of very difficult circumstance. Hope encourages us that victory is imminent. Would you want to live without hope?

I wouldn't want to live a life without faith, and I wouldn't want to live a life without hope. However, in spite of how wonderful, important, and life-changing both faith and hope are, they pale in comparison to love. The Bible states that love is greater than both faith and hope.

What makes love so amazing? For starters, it is what motivated the Father to send His only Son to die for us. Without love, there would have been no redemption for mankind. Not only would we be without love, but without the redemption that was precipitated by love, there would also be no faith, and no hope. You see, nothing else matters, without love. It is foundational for every other good thing in our lives.

Father, I pray that You will put within us a spirit of love. Help us to grow in this fruit, so that we can better serve You and others. We thank You for all of the wonderful gifts You have given us, including faith and hope, but we want to specifically thank You for the gift of love that supersedes all other gifts. Amen.

* Copyright Rebecca Livermore. Rebecca Livermore delights in helping people build and maintain relationships with the people most important to them. If you'd like help with being more thoughtful and consistent in remembering birthdays and other special occasions, visit http://www.rlcards.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Livermore

Guest Poem

HOW DEEP IS THE OCEAN?

I dreamed my Savior took my hand; we walked by heaven's shore.
I'd waited for this time with Him, this One whom I adore.
I listened as He told me of the plans He had for me;
'Twas clear I'd not sit idly by for all eternity.

He asked me what would interest me, what things I'd like to do.
I answered, "What I want the most is just to be with You."
He told me folks were busy here, they didn't lie around,
But since I'd just arrived, to take my time to settle down.

I listened as He told me all that He'd prepared for me.
Since heaven was so vast there was much more for me to see.
We talked about my life since I'd received my Second Birth
And ministries that I'd enjoyed when I lived down on earth.

He said I'd serve in heaven and I'd reign with Him on high,
But as He talked I bowed my head and soon began to cry.
"I don't feel I am worthy, Lord, to rule and reign o'er men.
When I was back on earth it seemed I sinned and sinned again.

"I've wondered how You could accept a sinful soul like me
To be Your bride, receive Your love so bountiful and free.
I did so much to cause You pain and wounded others, too.
I don't deserve to be here, after all I've done to You."

My Lord seemed puzzled, looked away, then finally He said,
"I don't remember any sin; I see My bride, instead.
I shed My blood for all your sins; I'm not here to condemn.
Your sins are in the deepest sea and I've forgotten them."

I laid my head upon His chest and tender was His touch.
I hadn't realized til then how He could love this much.
To think He took my sins and hid them in a special spot,
A place so deep and far away that even He forgot.


Author Resource:- Mariane Holbrook is a retired teacher, a writer, artist and musician who lives on the coast of North Carolina. She maintains a website at http://www.marianholbrook.com and welcomes your Email at Mariane777@bellsouth.net Article From Christian Article Bank

Guest Article

Be HIS--A Valentine's Devotional

I'll never forget receiving the candy hearts on Valentine's Day when I was in middle school. You know, the ones that taste a little bit like Pepto-Bismol? My friends and I would tear our little bitty envelopes open to see which hearts someone put inside with the generic card. Reading into every phrase, we fantasized of that special someone spending tireless efforts to make sure he delivered the perfect message and emotion to each of us. It was dreamy.

It didn't take me too many years to realize that the boys' mamas probably just threw them in an envelope for them, OR worst case scenario, picked out the girl SHE wanted for him to like via pepto-heart-a-grams. So much for dreamy.

The reality of the analogy the Lord laid on my heart today was not so dreamy either. I realized that He has written His message on my heart. It is forever inscribed and perfectly perfect, which is a beautiful truth. But when others look at my heart, so often I have covered up His words with my own unintentional messages.

Sometimes my heart begs, "Be mine," when it really should cry out, "Be His." Often it shouts out, "Love me," when God begs me to "Love them" or "Love Him" instead. The mixed messages my heart delivers to others can leave them with mixed feelings about the heart of God.

This is deep stuff, I know, but bear with me. Luke 6:45b says, "for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." It's saying that the 'stuff' we stuff into our minds gets stored in the treasury of our hearts, and eventually it begins to flow out of the heart via tunnel of the mouth. Then it is spread to others, and "round and round it goes, where it stops?"

When I complain frequently, I have probably listened to a bunch of complaints. As I throw out a zinger in the name of humor, I realize I have maybe seen a few too many sit-coms. During those moments of pouring out flattery to others, could it be that I have enjoyed the empty, false praise that I have indeed received myself? What 'line' do others see displayed on the tablet of your life?

All the static this world has to offer us can cloud the message he has carved on our hearts:

Hebrews 8:10b "I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Do you see His Valentine's message for us? *** BE MINE*** Make HIM our True Love. Let's not mix His message with overflow from the world's waste. Instead, let's spread His Word, the Word that He has written front and center in bold letters on our hearts the Word that we have fallen in love with so that we could keep from sin and love others God's way.

Sometimes we just need to be reminded, friends. I know I do. The way we spend our time matters. The people we allow to rub off on us are important. The shows we watch and the websites we visit and the novels we read it has an affect on us. Pray about it, allow the Lord to lead and guide you into the perfect balance of freedom and works. It is then, and only then that our hearts the new ones He gave us when we became a Christian will show the world that we are His.

Psalm 86:11 "Teach me YOUR way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your Truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name."


Copyright 2008 Laura L. Shaw http://www.lovinthearts.com LauraLee Shaw is a wife of 18 years and a mommy of three. Her ministry passions include leading Kids' Worship and writing. She is a contributing author to "Women of Passions," which will be released in July. Share your comments: http://www.lovinthearts.com http://www.lovinthearts.blogspot.com Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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><> Time2prosper ezine - Ladies relax and recharge with Time2prosper ezine for Christian women. Resources, articles, coaching, empowering tips. Receive free stress break report. Recession proof your "spirit, soul and body."

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><> Moms of Faith - We are a community of Christian Moms who love the Lord. We have a Daily Devotional to help keep Mom spiritually fit. We also have many valuable resources for Homeschoolers, WAHM's, New Moms.

><> Free Christian Prayer Support Website - Join others to strengthen your faith and pray for others in times of need.

><> Listen to the Old Testament and the New Testament Bible f.r.e.e online at: http://www.thebossychurchlady.net/free_online_Bible.html

Quick Answers To Your Burning Questions About God Are you witnessing to an unbeliever and need some super duper quick answers about God and Jesus... like yesterday? Get this f.r.e.e e-book and use it as a witnessing tool to silence the doubters! Give it away to your friends! Get the book in PDF Format Get the book in MS WORD Format-Printer Friendly Version

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><> Babe in Christ? Seeking answers about God? The Bossy Church Lady's website is packed with inspirational articles, tools, resources and scriptures that will answer your questions about Jesus. http://www.thebossychurchlady.net

><> Get a f.r.e.e e-book that will take you by the hand and explain everything you need to know about the end times! If you're a webmaster, snag the book and give it away to your visitors! The Bossy Church Lady's Take On The End Times

Until next time...
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