“The Thoughts of a Suffering Soldier”

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely.” ~ Acts 16:23 (KJV)

There’s no doubt in life when we go through things we hate it, we despise it and no matter how much we say “give God the glory” inwardly we do not want to thank God for where we are at all times. God uses circumstances and situations in our lives like puzzle pieces. We look at our incomplete life and cry and whine, not understanding very soon God will place another piece in and we will understand “ok, cool, everything is not going downhill as I thought.” However, what do you do when you look and notice that everything is going downhill? Perhaps, you are looking at yourself and here you are fighting something you once overcame or you look at your children and don’t know how to heal them, you look at your finances and don’t know what to think, everyone has something, there is something in our lives as Christians that bugs us to death! We hate “it” because “it” is out of our control. God uses things that come into our life that bug us and make us want to freak out, it sounds crazy because when we encounter these things usually we are everything but godly about it. Yet, God is working. It’s important that you know that.

Paul the Apostle was thrown in a prison for preaching. In other words, walking with God and obeying Gods Word and plan for his life lead him into trouble. In a Christian’s life it’s important to know that just because you are suffering doesn’t mean you are outside of the will of God. Just because you are suffering doesn’t mean you aren’t walking with God as close as you should be. God allows trying times in our lives to bring us into a greater awareness of His presence and power. The truth is, we act sinful in these situations; it takes some time to finally get to that place where we say “Ok, Lord, here I am and do whatever needed.” It takes time for you to finally just submit to the situation and not fight against it, not get upset and bitter at God over it, it takes time! The truth is, we need to come to the awareness that as a Christian, if we are praying for Gods will to be done in our life then where we are right now is Gods will. Sure, not everything looks like Gods will, but perhaps that place you wonder inwardly “God, is this what following You is about? I don’t like this” is the will of God. It’s important for you to know this, it’s important for you to realize where you are as a Christian is God’s plan, no matter how crazy it may seem. When you look at your situation, take it to God in prayer and ask God to get you to that place where you finally lay “it” down and then and only then will you be able to “move forward” so God can put that next puzzle piece in place. Enjoy and God Bless!

Father in Jesus Name, I come to You grateful, but Lord I pray for this situation I am in. Lord, if it’s not Your will right now to change it, change me and help me endure it. Lord, I pray that You show me You working in this situation and give me the faith and assurance needed found in the Word to have the ability to say “ok, Lord, here it is I am through fighting against it.” God, please bring me there in Jesus Name! AMEN!