Trials Are Meant To Grow Us, Not Destroy Us

"To reach up for the new, you must let go of the old. What is behind you is not nearly as important as what lies in front of you. Everything you've been through was preparation for where you are right now. Disappointments, challenges, and failures were not meant to destroy you. They were meant to strengthen you, to build your character, to give you the fortitude to accomplish your God-given destiny" - Joel Osteen - From His Book "It's Your Time"

  The above statement by Pastor Joel is so true and needed to be realized and taken root in everyone's heart. I also like the phrase "You may not be able to help what circumstances come your way, but you can help how you respond to them." Too many people become bitter and angry at or go as far as to bad mouth their circumstances or the people that have wronged them. (we are all guilty of that sadly). We too quickly jump to the wrong conclusion about our circumstances and begin thinking the worst...taking it to a level of self pity and even depression. It's easy for us to automatically take on a negative thinking attitude when trials come our way. If only we could truly see things from God's perspective. You see, God sees the big picture while our view is extremely limited. I realize it isn't the easiest thing to look to all things with a positive attitude, but if we can take it one day at a time and look to God for our strength, we can renew our mind and transform our thinking.  We can take on the day with a "I'm not going to let anything ruin me or my day" attitude and leave everything in God's hands. We need to trust God and know there is a reason for all we go through and it is to be used for our good! Not to destroy us!


Consider and meditate on the following scripture ...
James 1:2-4 AMP
2. Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
3. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
4. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

The Lord does know what He is doing :) ♥ God bless you all!

Desires and God's Will - Is What I Desire Too Big for God?

  God stated in His word that we have not because we ask not. [Ref. James 4:2] Far too many of us are afraid to ask God for anything that in our finite minds we consider "too much".  Maybe we feel unworthy, maybe we are too wrapped up in envy of someone who has what we want that we let our ego consume us and we can't even think of asking God anything but rather blaming God for our "lack", maybe we doubt God could even do the "huge" thing we are asking for?  There are sooo many verses in the bible that speak of God's promises for His children that I couldn't possibly post them all in one blog! But I will post the ones that stick out at me most....

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" - Matthew 6:33 

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7

"But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give you" - John 11:22

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" - John 15:7

  Matthew 6:33 and John 15:7 are especially vital when we look to ask God for anything.  You see, if we are outside of God's will...we can't expect to get what we are asking for.  God asks us to seek Him first, to abide in Him and His word abide in us.  This means we don't look to "things" or other people to accomplish our "dreams"... we look to God.  And the amazing thing is...when we are abiding in Christ and putting Him first...He puts the desires in our hearts. His Will becomes our will. (We desire His will and what He wants for us).  

  That being said, please keep in mind the enemy still roams about freely wanting to cause confusion and get in the way of God's will in your life. So there can be some "desires" that enter your heart that you will think are from God but aren't.  How can you tell? By making sure whatever you desire does NOT go against the bible.  For example: if you desire to have romantic relations with someone other than who you are married to, you can know that that desire is not from God because it goes against His Word.  God would never approve of adultery.  So as long as what is in your heart does not go against God's word, and you are abiding and obeying the Lord....don't hesitate to take those desires to God and let Him guide your steps to bring those desires to pass..in His timing. No matter how "big" those desires are..please remember nothing is too big for God!!  

~~Be Blessed~~

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. - James 4:2