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You’ve faced many joys and sorrows this year, haven’t you? Me too friend, me too.
We are just a few days away from closing the book on another year.
I want to encourage you this week to join me and take some time to gain a heavenly perspective on this earthly life. And worship a Redeemer who provides sweet blessings during our trials and joys.
The joys are so easy to list when life is going smoothly.
For me they include deeper friendships, renewed ministry purpose in writing and speaking, more intentional time worshiping God during the broken moments and trying to find the silver linings in the messes of life.
But what about finding joys amidst all the trials and the muck?
Finding joy in the sorrows and the tears, it’s a lot harder to do, isn’t it?
I know the trials we face in this life are nothing like the trials faced during Biblical times, nor are they anything like what our persecuted brothers and sisters in other countries face. But guess what? They are ours to endure. And yours are not greater or smaller than mine. Just different.
Our great and mighty God cares about our sorrows, both big and small. He blesses us during those difficult moments, sometimes more abundantly than we could ever imagine.
Hard to wrap your mind around, sometimes, isn’t it?
I am reflecting on the words of Paul in Romans 8: 35-39 as the year draws to a close.
I’m reminded of how immeasurable God’s love is for us, no matter how devastating or difficult the trials that stand before us.
Paul reminds us how it is expected that a faithful believer will face hardships.
Oh these trials that we face, may they bring us closer to our blessed Redeemer.
With all the commentaries I have poured through on the beautiful promises of God’s everlasting love, nothing captivates my heart as much as Matthew Henry’s words:
“We have such a Friend at the right hand of God; all power is given to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer! does your soul say within you, Oh that he were mine! and oh that I were his; that I could please him and live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in fruitless, endless doubtings, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe on Him who justifies the ungodly.” {Source: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary}
You are in the midst of a trial right now friend. I know it. Why? Because this life isn’t perfect. And neither are the people in it.
So today, I am wholeheartedly praying that the trials you are facing, and any doubts you might have, will draw you nearer to Him.
Don’t run from your trials, instead run straight to Jesus with them. Lay them down at the foot of the cross. And find the blessing in the silver linings of your pain.
Take some time today to count the blessings found in the silver linings of your trials. And worship The One who loves you, always.
