“This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training.” Hebrews 12:8 MSG
THE HEBREW verb for test comes from a word that means “to take a keen look at, to look, to choose.” Dismiss the notion that God does not see your struggle. On the contrary, He is fully engaged. He sees the needs of tomorrow and, accordingly, uses your circumstances to create the test of today. Does He not have the authority to do so? He is the potter; we are the clay. He is the shepherd; we are the sheep. He is the gardener; we are the branches. He is the teacher; we are the students. Trust His training. You’ll get through this. And remember, all tests are temporary. They are limited in duration. The Bible says, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6 NIV). And here’s something else to keep in mind: You can’t shorten your testing period, but you can definitely lengthen it by being proud and stubborn, resisting what God wants to teach you. God won’t deny you that choice, but neither will He protect you from the consequences of that choice. You wouldn’t be the first student who had to repeat a grade in school, and you won’t be the last. You can go to church on Sunday and pay lip service to God’s Word; you can reject the principles of truth and seek the easy way out. But it doesn’t work. “Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard” (Proverbs 13:15 NKJV). Do it God’s way, for that’s the best way. Always!
Soul Food Reading: Jer 31-32, Matt 4:12-25, Ps 98, Pro 14:34-35
