"It's Two-Sided"

"But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold".  Job 23:10

 

When we go through difficulties/trials, there is more than one thing that is going on.  We have an enemy who is out to destroy us through them, and secondly, we have a God who loves us and is perfecting what concerns us.  Often we only look at one side of the trial-- the side that is trying to destroy us.  But remember, what the enemy means for evil God works together for our good.

 

God will cause what you are going through to bring you up into a higher level of faith.  This stumbling block of the enemy can actually be a stepping stone into a higher realm of faith, trust in the Lord and righteous character.  The Lord can use it to purify you and produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life.  He can also use it to deepen your trust in Him because unless you choose to handle it your own way and in your own strength, you will turn to Him and let Him do a deep work within you and work it for your good. 

 

The verse above comes from the Book of Job.  We are all familiar with Job's life and suffering.  After all that Job went through, did it destroy him?  No.  Was that the intent of the enemy?  Yes.  But what happened instead?  At the end of the trial Job not only was twice as wealthy, received twice what he had lost, fathered more children-- some of the most beautiful daughters in the land-- but he gained a greater spiritual understanding of who God was.  His faith level soared.  He knew the Lord in a more personal and intimate way.  He knew that God was for him, working on his behalf and able to turn even the greatest of trials into a blessing--- naturally and spiritually.

 

Take heart.  If you are going through a difficult time.  If all hell seems like it is coming against you.  If you don't think you can take it any longer.  If you feel like you are going to be consumed by it.  Remember this:  there are two sides to your trial.  Let the trial produce in you a deeper level of faith.  Let it cause you to come up higher in your relationship with the Lord.  The greater One is in you than the one who is hurling these fiery darts at you.  You are destined to win as long as you look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith.

 

Have a great day.  Your trial is like a two-sided coin.  One side is meant to destroy you.  The other side is meant to strengthen you spiritually.  Which side are you going to focus on?

 

Scripture reference:  Psalm 138:8; Job 42:10-17; 1 John 4:4; Ephesians 6:16; James 1:3; Romans 8:28 

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from 
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