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Endure and Things Will be Better Farther Along

In my personal devotional reading on Monday from Faith's Checkbook written by Reverend Charles H. Spurgeon and God Calling written by two anonymous sisters, the two devotions went well together. So, I wanted to share that with you in this morning's post. 

In Reverend Spurgeon's entry, he discusses how much we need to be tested in order to fulfill God's will and to be able to praise Him for what He has done for us during those times of affliction. My favorite quotes from this devotion is, "We may, before many hours are past, be just as happy as now we are sorrowful," and, "He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the skies." The verse he is using for this devotion is, from Nahum 1:12 KJV  - "Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more." In other words,  happiness suddenly replaces our sorrows without any efforts on our part. And once that happiness settles in, we can see how God was able to help us grow from that sorrowful (hurtful, mourning, etc.) time. Trusting God to bring us through those hard times, however, is important for that transition to happen. We are better, life is better, and our testimony for God is stronger having gone through those uncomfortable, perhaps painful, circumstances.

From God Calling, the Scripture is from 2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV stating, "You therefore must endure hardship (affliction) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." My favorite quotes from this devotion are "How many of the world's prayers have gone unanswered because My children who prayed did not endure to the end. They thought it was too late, and that they must act for themselves." Then, "Not one of your cries is unheard." So, we must endure. We must be patient with God and not try to "fix" things ourselves. It is our own undoing when we try to do what only God, Himself, can do. If we endure the pain or discomfort or sorrow for a while, we become better stewards for God and for the work He is preparing us to do for His glory. 

After all, you can't appreciate the good days unless you have a few rough days. Drawing upon Rev. Spurgeon's devotion, have you ever noticed how clear the sky is and how clean the air is after a thunderstorm and its clouds pass?  You can't experience that beauty without riding out the storm. God loves you, and He will bring you through your hardships if you're patient with Him.

Endure Hardships
Image courtesy of Claudia Love via Unsplash

better after the afflictions
Image courtesy of Ivana Cajina via Unsplash

I invite you to listen to this beautiful song, Faithfully, by Toby Mac. This was my theme song at the end of 2022.  God is always there. He is faithful. Call upon the name of His precious Son, Jesus. He'll ride out the storms with you. My family and I are praying for healing for all of you who are experiencing difficult times. And in time, you'll be able to help others through their pain. 

#helpingothers
#womenhelpingwomen
#lifeistooshort
#spendingtimewithgod


May you feel God's love and closeness always,

Patricia

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