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Writer's pictureElizabeth Wilcox

Trials

Updated: Mar 15, 2021

Everyone at some point in our life, we go through deep waters.
In the Bible, rivers and waters are not just part of nature; they are also metaphors for the things we face in life that can easily overwhelm us.
Notice that God does not say: “if you ever pass through the waters”, but He says: “when you pass”. In other words, it is inevitable.
So what do we do with it? Live our lives in fear? Of course not! God is telling us: “You should never fear, because not only I formed you; you belong to me I know you by your name!
We do not have a distant God who just looks down and sees a multitude of people. He loves us and knows everything about us. He not only gave us physical life; He also gave us eternal life. Therefore, in everything we face, already whether it is a big or small problem, the only thing to avoid at all costs is fear.
It is impossible to live in fear and have faith at the same time. Either we allow fear to dominate our lives or we allow faith. However, the enemy It will use the pressure, the deep water and the creeks to try to overwhelm us.
So how can we avoid living in fear in the midst of attack? God wants us to remember two things:
First, when we are going through that ordeal and the current is so strong, we are not alone. God has promised to be with us. We may not see or feel it, but it is there!
Second, when we cross the rivers, they will not run over us. The battle may be fierce, but we will not be swept away. God says, "I will be”, “I'm with you". That means that for us to be dragged, God would have to be dragged with us, and that is not going to happen!
Are you going through deep water right now? Be strong with the Word of God. The Almighty is there with you, and He has promised that no matter how strong the current is against you, you will never sink!

The statement is not IF I face trials, but WHEN I face trials ….

It has been eight months since Joshua’s passing. The time for me is flying; some weeks go so fast that when Friday arrives, I think it is only Wednesday! I do not know if this is good or bad, or it is part of the grieving process. The only thing I know is that each passing day brings Jesus' return closer!

As in my last post, I still cannot stop thinking about when I am going to be allowed to go to heaven to see my loved ones again, to see Joshua again.

While doing my daily devotional I was reading that when trials come our way, and we are hoping for the trial to end, we should make a conscious effort of not trying to get out of it prematurely.

 

Devotional August 23:

One of the hardest parts of dealing with multiple trials is waiting.
Since patience is part of the Spirit’s Fruit, He can help you endure the waiting.
Don’t try to get out of hard times prematurely. Instead, persevere patiently, knowing that perseverance must finish its work – making it mature and complete.”
Perseverance (Patience and Steadfastness) must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:4

I keep asking God, “Do you think I am ready now? What about now God, do you think I am ready now”?

I know that God will not take me Home until I am ready. I believe that my aunt, my dad, my mom and my Joshua were ready and they were so blessed to go Home early in their lives. For us here still on earth it is a painful trial to go through. For them it is a pure Joy! – The Blessed Hope –

Reading more about how to approach trials in the book of James, I found this translation:

James 1:2-4

”Do not run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing”.


I guess that is why I am still here. I am not ready. I am not mature and complete.


 

Bible commentary on James 1: 2-4


Ask the Holy Spirit for Help (to help you endure, to help you to wait).


The point is not to pretend to be happy when we face pain but to have a positive outlook (“Consider it an opportunity for great joy…”) because of what troubles can produce in our life.


James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance.


God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain.


Perseverance (Patience and Steadfastness) must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4


 

"When we are with our soul tired and our heart sad, the best thing we can do is to go a place with no people around, close our eyes y talk to God. No matter if you talk in complete silence, because when we can not say anything, God is the only one that can read our heart."



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My Journey

Trust Me! He said

We see God as a loving father holding us as premature babies, protecting us from the sorrows of this imperfect world. We see God as a loving parent, hugging His crying toddler, that cries because he can't understand why things happens the way they are. He hurts with us on our time of grief, and He carries us when we can't walk anymore.    
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