Encouragement

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I have been trying in the past couple days to make a point on an issue that I think we tend to overlook.

As usual, the sermon preached by Dr. Wayne Greene at Clearview Baptist Church, seemed to be directed at me (I sure am glad I'm not the hopeless type, otherwise I'd be tearing out my hair in despair--I have so much work to do with myself).

Dr. Greene pointed out how easy it is for us to thank God for the blessings He gives us every day of our lives. He also pointed out that we need to thank God for all the troubles we face.
As he so eloquently phrased it, "These troubles are also a gift from our Father, through which we are able to grow and mature into strong people of faith". God wants us to grow into our spiritual maturity, therefore He allows these things, not to make us miserable, but to make us strong, better people, better disciples of Christ.

It's hard to thank God for trouble. It goes against human nature. We like to rant and rave and demand to know, from God, "Why are you doing this to me. I thought you loved me!"

First of all, God isn't causing the problems. He is allowing the problems. Serious issues cause serious thought and examinations of our lives. If we are smart, we will, even in our anger over whatever is happening, even in our anger against God Himself, turn our faces to Him and seek His word. When we continuously turn to Him first, we learn more, we grow more, we are becoming spiritual warriors for Him. We become more like Him because we are learning from His example. He is speaking to us.

We have to accept things as they are. We can choose to either deal with the issues we face, with the help of God, or we can attempt to run and hide. My nature says run and hide, and I spent a great deal of time in the effort to not do that. You can sweep a lot of dirt under a carpet, but eventually you're going to have to move the carpet, and you will find all the dirt you've tried to hide. This is pointless. And unnecessary.

Because we have God, we can boldly go forth where most men fear to tread. We can, and should face head on those things we fear the most. And thank God for the challenge, knowing that the ultimate plan is for us to become more like Him.

Thank you, Dr. Greene. You nailed it for me again. Thank you, God, for Dr. Greene.

And thank you also,for letting us know that ALL things work together for good. Everything.

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