Howling and moaning

It is sometimes difficult to maintain a steadfast faith in God, especially when faced with “most difficult times”. This is a paradox because it is the time that we are faced with “most difficult times”, that is the time when we need God the “most”. I believe that if we drift away from God, hard times can be allowed to come upon us by God in order to draw us back near to him. I do not believe that God micro-manages our every move, but I do think that He is personally involved and will intervene when it is in our best interest.

Our best interest? How can it be in our best interest to fall into
hard times? If we have moved away from our God, our Father and only hope of salvation, it is in our best interest for God to use “whatever means necessary” to draw us back toward Him and away from the temptations of satan. Some of us are so stubborn and defiant that we have to get to the point whereby there just is nowhere else to turn, before turning to God to save us. Alcoholics and drug addicts have found this to be true; they have to reach bottom before they will seek help. Other folks may not be that drastic, but backslide into sin just the same. The jolt of sudden misfortune will quickly remind us all of just how short and fragile our lives really are, and that we need God far more than anything this old world has to offer.

Some folks get mad at God because of hard times. My children used to get mad at me when I would punish them. In reality, I disciplined them because I loved them. It was for their own good. At the time they howled and moaned and, I’m sure, they would not have agreed; however today, I’m just as sure that they would agree it was for their own good.
God allows tribulation in our lives, but He still loves us. God punishes sin, but He still loves us. God states in the Bible that His love for us is sufficient to get us through the worst of the worst.
Trust in Him and keep the faith and he will maintain you through “thick and thin”!. I thank Him for both the bad and the good that He allows me to experience in my life. I do not like to go through hard times, but I know that it is for my own good. I just try to trust in the Lord and keep the big picture in my “mind’s eye”. i.e.. The shortness of this hardship-filled life versus an eternity of splendor and peace. Then I “try” to grin and bear it…

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2 Timothy 18
And the lord will deliver me
from every evil work and preserve
me for His heavenly kingdom.
To Him be glory forever and ever.
Amen!



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