OPPORTUNITY

"All our infirmities, whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display His gracious work in us." CH Spurgeon

I can't help but continue on with what is surrounding us in this world today. In the past year and half, things seem to be getting worse and I think what an opportunity we have to show the world how blessed we are to have a Savior that loves us so much and never leaves our side. As many of us struggle with trials that have entered our lives, what an opportunity we have, as Charles Spurgeon quoted, "What ever infirmities we face,whatever they are, are just opportunities for God to display His gracious work in us."

When we accept what God has allowed through trial or suffering we see it is for a reason, a purpose, God's Purpose, maybe to teach us to trust Him more and not rely on our own understanding, maybe to help us grow in our walk, maybe to comfort someone else that is going through the same thing, maybe showing others the strength we draw from the Lord so that they may seek and question how we can be so strong and we can answer because we find strength in our Lord.... and sometimes, God will use these trials to discipline us for sins we commit. We may not understand why things happen because we are not God, we just have to trust in Him because we know he is a Sovereign God and what ever happens, it is for a reason.

He declares “the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’” (Isaiah 46:10)
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
(Proverbs 19:21; see 16:9)

"Christ's priorities of what he wants for you is so different than your priorities, that if you don't begin to get your mind saturated with Jesus' way of thinking, then you won't be able to make sense out of the pain in your life. You tend to get angrier and angrier - because your priorities are, "if he loved me then....."and you provide a list of all your demands and its not his list, it's not the way Jesus thinks, because what he values is hearts that are so enamored with him that that shines more clearly when everything we were leaning on is gone." John Piper

I'm not saying it's easy because at times it is very hard. We have to remember this is the way God has planned it and if we can suffer along with dignity, what an example of Christ we will be. If we show grace and humility, what an example of Christ we will be. If we show love towards our enemies, what an example of Christ we will be. If we show our faith in trials and tribulation, what an example of Christ we will be. If we take up our cross, What an example of Christ we will be.

I have shared this quote by Andrew Murray many times with fellow believers, here on my blog and in my everyday walk because it is such a reminder that God is Sovereign and what ever happens in my life and yours He setting the stage, preparing us for that day when we will be absent from the body and present with our Lord.

"In times of trouble say,
First: He brought me here ; it is by His will I am in this strait place: In that I will rest.
Next: He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then: He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last:
In His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows. Say: I am here
(1) by God's appointment
(2) in His keeping
(3) under His training
(4) for His time."

-Andrew Murray