Tackling Life’s Trials - Martin Wiles

I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Psalm 16:8 NLT

One took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate.

Watching a few middle schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn’t unusual. In addition to the injuries, there are usually health-related issues as well. Students missing class for injuries or health concerns is typical; how they deal with it varies.

One particular year, two stood out. One had a broken limb; the other a health-related issue that kept him home for weeks. Normally, when a student has a broken limb, another student comes alongside them and carries their books. Not for this particular student. He didn’t even ask. He wrote the best he could with the hand he didn’t usually write with. Nothing was late or missing. The other student took advantage of his situation. Their responses are typical.

The psalmist confessed he would never be shaken regardless of what came his way. There was no need. The Lord was with him. The promise he held onto applies to every believer. When trials come—no matter the intensity, time, or shape—being shaken is unnecessary. But how we respond reveals much about our faith.

If we go about our business in the presence of trials as if it’s just another ordinary period—as the student with the broken limb did—our faith will change. Our spiritual walk with the Lord will mature, our faith will develop, and our dependence on God rather than ourselves will get a lift. Trials will turn us more toward God rather than others or ourselves. We’ll remember we can’t handle life on our own. We need more than friends, family, and acquaintances. We need God.

The only other choice is to do what the other student did: milk the system. We can get mad at God for allowing these circumstances into our lives and refuse to spend time with Him in prayer or any other way. We can depend too much on others at the expense of God and perhaps end up in co-dependent relationships. Or we can do nothing and have our own pity party.

Trials test our faith and form our integrity. Tackle the trials that come your way, knowing God is on your side and willing and able to help.  

Father, I thank You that Your strength is enough to enable me to conquer any trial. 

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Stop Picking at Scabs - Norma Mezoe

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Years ago, a Christian magazine widely circulated an article I had written. In the article, I spoke of how God had lovingly fitted together the pieces of my broken life.

Soon, I received phone calls and letters from people with heartbreaking problems. These fellow travelers reached out to someone who had also walked along the road of despair.

One person wrote of the breakup of a relationship that she had thought would lead to marriage. She struggled unsuccessfully to cope with her pain. In succeeding letters, she said she could not let go of her burden and let God share the load, even though I had encouraged her to by sharing Scripture and articles.

Then I thought of a simple illustration I hoped would help her. When I was a child with a scabby knee, I struggled to leave the scab alone. Time and again, I picked at the crusty growth until it bled. Then, the healing process had to begin anew.

Too often, we repeat something similar. An emotional pain leaves us with a wound. Slowly, the process of healing begins. But then we pick at the hurt—perhaps by thinking of what might have been or what we should have done differently. Soon, tears flood over a heart that has begun to heal, and the scab tears from the wound.

God waits to heal our pain and aching heart but cannot if we pick at the wound. However, if we keep our hands off, His love and peace will cover our wounded spirit and bring complete healing. We must only release our burdens into the Great Physician’s healing hands.

How can you stop picking at the scabs and let God do His healing?

Tweetable: How can you stop picking at your emotional wounds? 

Norma C. Mezoe has been a published writer for thirty-nine years. Her writing has appeared in books, devotionals, take-home papers, and magazines. She writes to honor God, to encourage, and to point others to the Lord. Norma became a Christian at fifteen but didn’t grow spiritually in a significant way until she experienced a crisis at the age of thirty-three that brought her into a closer relationship with the Lord. Norma may be contacted at normacm@tds.net. 

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