There are many people in this world who underestimate how strong they really are. Those who face great obstacles, great challenges and great heartache have been given a gift of grace to handle that situation better than anyone else who would face those same problems. God knows that we are equipped and able to bear the burden, to face the storm, to go through the darkness because He has given us the strength to handle the situation. That is why I know that no trial too great and no burden too heavy can come my way and me not be able to face the trial, to bear the burden and in time overcome and be victorious not because I am able, but because God is able through me. The sooner we recognize that our strength is not our own, the quicker we will be in giving thanks and praise to the Lord for every trial and challenge that we overcome and be victorious over. We have to remind ourselves that God is faithful to those who trust in Him. We read in Isaiah 40:28-29 “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.” (Psalm 28:6-8) (James 1:2-4)

Being paralyzed since 1996 I have heard time and again from people “I don’t know how you are able to handle your situation.” My answer always includes “God is good. He gives grace, strength, encouragement and perfect peace that assures my heart that all is well.” Faith must be at the forefront of our thoughts when we are going through a trial or challenge that seems too great for us to overcome. We have to consciously confess that we are becoming better, wiser and stronger because of the trial or challenge in our path. The problem will work in our favor because it will teach us, strengthen us, motivate us and give us the resolve that we need to never give in and never give up. Job declared in Job 23:10-12 “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” (Isaiah 26:3-4) (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Let us stay faithful, stay encouraged, stay motivated knowing that God knows that we are strong enough to handle the burden that we carry. Don’t underestimate your strength or your ability to handle that situation in your life, but with a quiet confidence carry on faithfully having the foreknowledge that you are becoming better, wiser and stronger because of the obstacles that you are facing. (Hebrews 11:6)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to have a renewed outlook on the trials and challenges that are in your path.


TRIALS…THE ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT

Have you ever considered going through trial after trial to be a compliment? I had never thought of it this way until I taught a college class on the story of Job. The following Bible passage in particular stuck out to me.

“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.” Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” - Job 1:6-8

Tempting Job and giving him problems was probably the furthest thing from Satan's mind. Until God chimed in. He nominated Job for the job of temptee. Why?

Why would God nominate Job for the job of losing all his oxen, donkeys, sheep, and camels? Why would God nominate Job for a job in which he would receive painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head? Why would God nominate Job for a job whose description included burying all of his sons and daughters? Why? Because Job could take it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

God allowed Satan to take Job's possessions, servants, sons, and daughters because he knew Job could bear it. It was the ultimate compliment. God knew the kind of faith warrior Job was. He told Satan to hit him with his best shot. Satan still lost.

Job's story has comforted, inspired, and encouraged countless hundreds of thousands of Christians going through trials.

Maybe God is using you and the way you're handling trials you're going through to comfort, inspire, and encourage others.

In a strange way, it's the ultimate compliment.

By Brent R. High


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

1 Peter 5:10-11 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”

Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today’s Selected Poem: HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem155.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: SAND OR GRAVEL?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony101.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry