We are not the first to go through challenges
So often when we face challenges we tend to question God and ask “why me?” or we lament that we don’t deserve it. But the question is, if we don’t deserve it then who does? We need to remember that we are not the first and only people to go through challenges. Even the greatest men of God have gone through challenges and it is because of these challenges that they were highly favoured. God said that He WILL test us. Every one of us has to go through ‘the process’ where, like precious jewels, God will refine us and mould us into the men and women we are intended to be (Zechariah 13:9).
Take the story of Job as an example. God went to the devil to “brag” about the goodness and faithfulness of His son, Job. The devil questioned God that if he takes away everything from Job, will Job remain as faithful or will he curse God. God said to the devil that he can do anything to Job but he cannot take his life. The devil wreaked havoc on Job’s life. Took away his family, his riches, his health and all he had. However, Job remained steadfast. In the scripture Job 23:10 Job said “God knows every step I take, if He tests me He will find me pure like gold”. Clarke’s commentary on the Bible on this particular verse stated that if something that is said to be Gold is put into fire, if it is genuine, it will lose nothing of its quality or weight. Therefore, if it went into the fire as gold, it will come out as gold- meaning that the strongest fire will neither alter nor destroy it. Similarly with Job, he was a righteous man when challenges struck his life but he remained faithful and his character, if anything, was strengthened even when the people around him told him to shun God and give up. Job understood that God doesn’t make bad things happen but that He LETS them happen and ultimately it is for OUR greater good. This attests to the saying that “God will never put us through something we cannot handle”.
When we face challenges we need to hold steadfast to God’s word and His promises. We need to remember that we are sufficiently equipped and God just wants to renew us- we are getting an UPGRADE. We need to come out of the furnace of affliction as stronger beings in Christ. When challenges come, we need to rejoice because we know that God is working in our lives. He has got bigger plans for us and those plans are surely not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Yes, the process might be painful and you may feel like giving up but that is where faith comes in: faith is holding on even when the circumstances around you force you to give up.
I know it is really easy to say ‘remember this…’ or ‘do that…’but when you are going through tough times it is really hard to do anything but let the circumstances get the better of you. However, today I encourage you to just call on God and say “God I need you”over and over again until you believe that He is there and that He hears you. That’s all it takes… Then, God will definitely make a way where there seems to be no way!
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