Hard Times

[BlestVessel]

As I once again described to someone who inquired about my life the current turbulent conditions, the storms the disciples faced that were noted in Scripture struck me-the storm with Jesus in the boat and the one in which Peter walks on water.... I assume it is a storm since "the waves" made him, a fisherman, afraid. I may be too presumptuous. It is from this storm tendency in our lives that expressions such as 'when it rains, it pours' are rooted. Some days, all seems calm, but thank God for the storms! We leave the safety of the boat and play in the water, yet it is only when the waves begin thrashing around us that we realize we're drowning, inhaling more water than life-giving Air! Both storms in Scripture were an opportunity for faith to be expressed. It's amazing how, though Jesus was in the boat, because the disciples only knew that He was asleep, that they didn't see Him helping. Calling on Him was a sort of last-ditch effort. From our limited perspective, the Truth has left us, but He hasn't left at all-He's resting right there beside us! With an infinite God, how can we know all that He accomplishes while He yet rests? Every circumstance around lets you think that you're lost, desperate, nearing the collapse of your world as you know it. Yet look to Jesus and rest also in Him. It was always out of your control, only now it is EVIDENT to you. This is a great thing! This is when we learn how to depend on Him! Because we certainly won't-by nature-make every effort to depend on Him when He's already provided and all seems naturally calm. We must look to His consistency, His peace as we step out of the boat by faith, to walk on the water. But how much we want to test, to tap our foot on the water and make sure that what He asks of us will not cause us harm! To trust Him completely in the midst of a storm means knowing where you stand when the waters appear to have subsided; it means passing the test and proving faithful. We walk in faith when all seems lost and His calming of the wind is that much more blessed! For the storms of life, we have to be armed. Look to the center of the storm, where there is stillness and peace, not at everything around it moving 'out of control'. Hold tight to Him and be yourself immoveable! Nothing can separate us from His Love!

Can we talk about tough times and what we've learned and what we're learning? I feel weak right now, but I think we should always be encouraging each other and sharing His good works and great Words

Love,
His April

 

[Blessed2003]

Hey BlestVessel. I always enjoy reading your posts, there is always something in there for me! (note, I am a student, not a teacher.)
I like "It was always out of your control, now it is EVIDENT to you" I laugh out loud. So true, so true. You said you feel weak right now, and you would like to talk about tough times and what we have learned, and are learning. I like that, let's do.
I remember a time when all seemed well to me. I was (so I thought) walking on water, and wasn't going anywhere. (lol) I could not understand storms. I then started to feel the rains come. I was not prepared..(I was running out of oil!) I was not given any instruction, except, "Be still, and know that I am God" (big swallow) so whatelse could I do, but wait.
Four years ago is when the rain started falling, I came to the end of my rope, thank God in heaven, because without the storm, I feel certain, I would not have. I have experienced what I only know to refer to as "hell on earth" I do not mean that I burned, that might have been a relief. No, the worst part is that I thought I had gone so far that I could not be reached, by even God! (I just didn't trust Him, not like I thought I did.) When the world started crumbling around me, literally, I became angry. At God, (*feeling shame to admit*) at people, and mostly, AT ME. I didn't understand, how could this happen to me, what did I do? I just didn't know, it seemed that I had fallen away, especially since I have struggled with substance abuse, and ofcourse, that is what I turned back to for comfort during that time. I cried out to God, asking, searching, seeking. As I said, "Be still, and know that I am God" was the answer I got. Which at the time, did not make any sense, ok, I thought, how much more can I screw up this life I was given while I wait Lord? Things got worse before they got better. The storm raged. The winds blew, the rain came. My house crumbled. Thank God for His great Mercy, HE is building a new one in it's place. He has shown me that He is in control, (I never was, but i didn't know that) God has allowed my faith to be tested, and I know now, that is truly part of what happened. The rest, I don't understand, except that I was disobedient, and even then God did not allow what He could rightly have, so I have learned TWO important lessons. One, first and foremost, God is the giver of good in my life, it is not me, nor what I have done, it is HIM, and second, but not least, even though I mess up, God has made promises about this one, God can take something I mess up, and bring Himself Glory from it! No longer do I think I can interfere with His great plan by my wickedness, (not a license to sin, ofcourse) but I can't be so sinful that God has no room to work. Truly, the most valuable lesson is that ALL good in my life is from God, I have to give Him credit for it, I know without Him, there is NO good in me. I am glad I have been in the storm, I am learning so much, and I wouldn't change anything. I see the clear sky now. I am not there yet. (ofcourse, lol) I know that God is not a liar, and I know that He finishes what He starts, and He is even teaching me how to rejoyce in uncomfortable circumstances, how wonderful is that.
I know this may not help you BlestVessel, because I believe with all of my heart, you are here to help ME, not the other way around, but I do know if you are feeling weak it is only serving a purpose to make God strong in you. I definately know how much you Love the Lord, and I thank God for it, and for you. You bless me. There are many on this site who bless me, with encouraging words, spoken out on the forum, and through private messages. May God give to all over and above how each one gives, and He will, because that is how good our God is. He blesses even those who don't say thank you, how much more will He bless those who do!
God, be with us as we search for your will, and please have mercy on us as we seek to crucify or flesh daily. In the name of Jesus, the One who died, and now lives, AMEN.
I love you all.
B

 

[BlestVessel]

May God give to all over and above how each one gives

And the same to you. Blessed, do not believe that you are not used for His good purposes right now. I cannot tell you enough how I delight in you and how you bless me! You act as though I am wise or am a teacher, but the same God who is all wisdom and who created all methods of teaching lives also in you! We cannot speak except He gave us mouths, we cannot think except He gave us minds, we cannot live except He created us and died so we could. There's nothing grand about us but the God we serve, and by Him, you are one of the most beautiful sights on this earth! I love you.

 

[songz777]

Blessed-Vessel you have a good grasp of knowledge, soundslike you have been in the storms of live to gain them. I thought that came to me as I read your post "Peter had to trust the Lord, even though the going looked rough, He as you said didnt wait for the sea to calm or test the water first, he just trusted God and found himself ABLE to do things he nevere thought he could.
Take care Bless you john