Day 2: Gold, Silver and Precious Stones

So, then those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:9

Did you get the chance to meditate on this Scripture??....

God's Word is full of examples of people who were tested and tried--it seems all too often that involves suffering of some sort. This is what God Word's tells us to do in the face of suffering, "...commit...to (our) faithful Creator...." Is that our first response when we suffer or feel the result of being tested? I'll admit, it's not always mine.

I usually take the "long way home," if you will. It seems easier to me, for some reason, to look at my life from my own perspective and try to figure things out. That tends to get me nowhere except frustrated! My eyes can't quite see the way God's can, and my heart is usually deceitful without His Spirit guiding me (Jeremiah 17:9). I usually end up on the same page with God, but sometimes it takes me a long time to get there... I have also found that God, knowing my tendencies, sometimes takes me the long way. For instance, over the past two years or so we've made a pretty big transition. We moved across the state just after our youngest was born. Another note to add to that, we moved away from our families, friends and community that we had established over several years! We were excited about the move initially because of my husband's new job. But when I realized what all that entailed, I began to feel scared and alone. However, the process of selling our house, which took over a year, and actually getting moved took SO long that we were just ready!!! I realized I needed this time to adjust to the idea of moving and to actually want to go! If we had moved quickly and everything had been smooth, I believe it would have been even harder! Still today, almost a year after officially moving, I am struggling a little. But God is slowly building our community here with His people, and I am trying, desperately, to rely on Him.

These times when I've struggled or suffered through being tested have always brought me closer to the Lord, even if it's the "long way home." And I so much believe that is the point! In Revelation 3, it talks about being lukewarm and what Christ thinks about that.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot, I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

Christ doesn't think very fondly about us being lukewarm. These times push us toward Him or away from Him! Another reason in 1 Peter that he encourages us to turn to our faithful Creator and do good. There is never an excuse for us to not trust God! Even in hard times. It's not easy, and it's often not our natural reaction. But with Christ's power we can do it!!! Even through this study we have encouraged one another and heard testimony of Christ's power in our lives!

I want to encourage you all to read Hebrews 11. This is one of my favorite passages in all of Scripture! Many have called it the "Faith Hall of Fame." (Kinda silly, but you'll see why!) It is such an encouraging passage especially through times of suffering.

In your life right now, is God testing you? Or what are ways you have been tested in the past? How has God proven to be your faithful Creator?