Struggles...

...I am at the end of a bible study called, One in a Million. It is an amazing study for anyone who has, is, or will go through a trial or struggle. Which, as a Christian, is everyone. We are not promised a life without hardships. In fact, we will likely experience more pain as we follow Christ.

{"All men will hate you because of me."~Luke 27:17}

One in a Million focuses on the exodus and how God delivered the Israelites out of the slavery of Egypt and to the Promised Land.  A land and life of abundant living. God led his chosen people through the rough and tough wilderness, not the direct, easy route to Canaan. What I have been learning over the past months of this study is that sometimes, in order to get to our destination, He will take us by a painful and troubled path. BUT, we are never alone, we are to learn, obey, honor, and worship during our time in the wilderness.

During our study this week, we looked closely at Joshua 3:1-5. At this point in the journey, the Israelites had been wondering in the desert for 40 years. They were whining, complaining, and disobeying God. They were right at the border of Canaan, yet couldn't get to the Promised Land because of their own stubbornness disobedience and lack of thanksgiving. At the start of the book of Joshua, Moses has died and a new leader, Joshua, has been chosen to lead the people to Canaan. They are at the Jordan river, ready to cross. However, God had the Isrealites camp out for 3 days. He let them sit and see the deep, raging river. He let them see it was impossible and impassible. They became frightened. Yet God DID led them across, as he said He would. Once again, he performed a miracle. Had God just let them cross the river without the wait, parted it like the Red Sea, this new generation of people would not have seen HIS power or appreciated what he had done for them. As Priscilla Shirer put it, "The bigger your 'deep waters', the bigger the opportunity to see his miracles." We CANNOT fully appreciate some of God's gifts if we do not experience the trials. We cannot truly grasp His LOVE for us if we do not have the chance to fully rely on him to get us through our struggle. Joshua anticipated God's miracles. He knew his God would deliver what He promised

{"Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD WILL do amazing things among you.”~Joshua 3:5} 

It is hard to act like he has already performed miracles, yet that is the basis of our Christian faith, believing in what we cannot see.  

{"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."~Hebrews 11:1}. 

Being in a time of wilderness and waiting myself, this section of the study really spoke to my heart. I can only find abundant living in HIM, and I sometimes the only way to experience what he has destined for me is to go through the trying times and wait for his miracles to occur in my heart and in my life. Learning to give thanks in all circumstances, giving up my own form of slavery (control, planning, analyzing, not fully trusting HIM) for freedom I find at the cross is better than anything I can plan or even imagine on my own.  Looking back at my life, God has perfectly orchestrated every single moment to do good and not harm. Even when it's hard to see. If he wasn't in complete control, I would never have moved to Texas, never been a SOONER, never had met my husband, never have gotten a new job, never have found a church home and a bible study that is JUST what my heart needed... He has all the puzzle pieces before we ever even see the finished product. What peace that should bring!!! I am so thankful that his mercies are new every morning, that he gives me my daily bread. I am constantly learning, each & every day, to step into the Jordan and trust that he will lead to the other side. It's not easy for me. Trying times are definitely testing and some days are easier than others.

{"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"~ Romans 8:28} 

{"I trust in and confidently rely on the loving-kindness and the mercy of God forever and ever.I will thank You and confide in You forever, because You have done it [delivered me and kept me safe]. I will wait on, hope in and expect in Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your saints." ~ Psalm 52:8-9}

{"Moreover, let us be full of joy now, let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unanswering endurance. And endurance develops maturity of character. And character produces joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope NEVER disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."~Romans 5:3-5}

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us. We are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."- C.S. Lewis