| You may think relationships, trials, spiritual growth, and | | | | Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "'For my thoughts are not your |
| God are not related, but they are. In fact trials are the | | | | thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares |
| perfect tool God uses to deepen our relationship with | | | | the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, |
| Him. | | | | so are my ways higher than your ways and my |
| But who wants to endure trials? No one. Yet that has | | | | thoughts than your thoughts.'" |
| nothing to do with God's perfect will for us. He knows | | | | Just because we do not understand the reason we |
| the benefits of His trials in our lives. If we want to grow | | | | are being tested does not mean we should resent or |
| in a way that pleases God, we must get a new | | | | ignore the test. Stubbornly holding onto old ways or |
| perspective concerning trials. | | | | habits negate the refining process God allows in our |
| Changing the way we see things mentally is not easy | | | | lives. Instead of one test, it may take two, three or |
| to do. Some say that if a habit is repeated for 30 days | | | | more to learn the lesson(s) we could have learned |
| then it is mentally easier to make a change. But who | | | | during our first test. |
| wants to go through 30 days of difficulties? Especially | | | | Failing to see tests or difficult circumstances through |
| when we know that we did everything humanly | | | | supernatural eyes of faith can lengthen rather than |
| possible to resolve the situation for the first 20 days. | | | | shorten our times of testing. We may not always |
| Does that mean we have 20 more days to go? | | | | comprehend this during trials because we don't see |
| If you are anything like me, the 30 day trial period is not | | | | ourselves as God sees us. We cling to what is familiar |
| an option. | | | | - our natural sight - and search for natural solutions |
| But God still desires a relationship with us. He perfectly | | | | rather than supernatural solutions. Somehow it's easier |
| designs individual trials for each of us. The only way | | | | to believe that we can make a difference in all that is |
| we can work with God to accomplish His will in our | | | | happening to us rather than put our trust in God. |
| lives is to believe that He has our best interests at | | | | Many of us fear the supernatural so we look for |
| heart and to learn to completely trust that He is in | | | | human solutions. God is not human. His solutions are |
| control of all things. This belief is more than head | | | | always supernatural. We must trust that He is all He |
| knowledge. It must pervade all we say, think, and do. | | | | claims to be in Scripture. |
| Let me explain by asking a question. When you are | | | | Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and |
| going through trials or tough circumstances, where is | | | | burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon |
| your focus? Probably on your circumstances, right. But | | | | you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in |
| have you ever considered that God may allow trials in | | | | heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke |
| your life to get you to look at Him rather than your | | | | is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) |
| circumstances? | | | | Do you trust the words of Jesus? If so develop a new |
| I am sure you have noticed how some people say | | | | perspective toward trials and look to God for |
| they pray about their problems, yet their problems | | | | supernatural solutions. Trust Him to provide the perfect |
| dominate their conversation. The secret they have not | | | | way to develop, grow and refine your relationship with |
| learned is that God is trying to shift their perspective | | | | HIm. |
| from the natural to the supernatural. The natural is | | | | If you would like more information on how trials lead to |
| what we see. The supernatural is what we cannot | | | | our spiritual growth and develop our relationship with |
| see which includes the awesome majesty and power | | | | God, Becoming God's Vessel of Honor gives more |
| of God. | | | | examples. |