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barb754

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Dec 26, 2004
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Trials

I did not know His love before, the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship, I found I had no hold.

The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply spoke His name and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day or when I'd smile again.

Yet through the pain and endless tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered why.
At times I thought, "I can't go on."I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way.

And now I see as ne'er before how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear, and then He said, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace.
I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong,
I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong.

And now I know more storms will come, but only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow as nothing ever could.
I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!




"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James_1:2-4_NIV


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Scostar

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What truth is expressed in that poem!

I have just had a health scare - I collapsed at church a month ago, paralyzed from the waist down - I am only 32 and otherwise in good health.

I was told at the hospital that the blood supply to my spine was disrupted and that my spinal neurones had been dying over the last year or so. If I did not have an operation immediately I would be paralyzed for life.

During the last month I have experienced the love of God in incredible measure. I have never felt so loved. Both in my spirit, and through the visitors that came and sat with me, prayed with me, and loved me.

This trial has been an enormous blessing to me. It has given me a new insight into those opening verses of James' epistle. I truly want to claim the last line of the poem for my own life...
If in the storm I'll love Him more, that's where I want to be!

My operation was successful. I can walk again, although I have some nerve problems that may never return to normal. We'll see. But my testimony is that God is good, and when it appears that God is not being good, often that is when He is displaying His goodness the most.

Many blessings to you, through the good times and the bad,

james
 
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