A Trial of Transition
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. –James 1:2-4
Transition can be hard… really hard. Especially since we lack the ability to see the future. It’s really easy to doubt God when in a trial of transition. When you have no idea where you’re supposed to end up, where you’re supposed to work, or where money for the bills is going to come from it’s easy to get frustrated and anxious. It’s even easier to get frustrated and anxious with God when this difficult trial you are in is a direct result of trying your best to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading.
I’m in one of these tough spots right now, but in the midst of a trial I have not lost the ability to hear Him. The Lord showed me a couple verses that were comforting.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way… -Exodus 13:21
God goes before us! He went before the Israelites and He does the same for us today. This verse is from when the Israelites first entered the wilderness. They were following God. For those of you that know the story, you know they were following Him into a very tough transitional trial. A trial that would last for years and test their faith again and again.
I’m in the wilderness right now. I followed the cloud in and I’ll follow it out. Rather than creating a self-pity party I’m rejoicing today! I’m literally smiling while I write this. It’s not easy to do. I’ve put in plenty of worrying but I’m over it.
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? –Luke 12:25
He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. –Deuteronomy 6:23
As Bill Johnson says laughingly, “It’s time to get serious about joy!”
If you’re in the midst of a trial it’s time to rejoice because God is at work.
Thank you Lord for this trial of transition! Thank you Jesus for leading me here and I know you will lead me out. I am grateful that my faith has been tested because I know the outcome will be patience. And you know we can all use more patience… I am grateful because this impossible situation gives you a chance to show your glory, provision and grace in my life. I know that six months or so down the road I’ll look back at this and praise you for your faithfulness. But I will not wait until entering the promised land to praise you. I jump for joy and praise you now in the middle of the storm because you are good, and your mercy endures forever!!
You know what’s awesome? In the middle of all the uncertainties in my life there are three things that I am positively sure of:
- God is in control
- God loves me
- I’m still saved by His grace
If I keep my mind focused on those three things there’s not much left to worry about.
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. –Luke 12:22-23
- Psalm 40. Faith Persevering In Trial (bummyla.wordpress.com)
- Today I will…. (sunshinelittleone.wordpress.com)
- Change Your Mind Not Your Circumstances (sabbathsermons.com)
- Battered Shield (powerofyou320.com)
- Why Me ??? (myownheart.me)
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What a whirlwind this last year has been but looking at it now in hindsight I’m thankful. I went through a lot of ups and downs in 2012 but God had His plan. Of the many things God taught me the one that comes to mind is trust. A big chunk of my 2012 was spent learning to follow the leading of the Lord and learning to trust Him when that leading takes us to strange places. Many of the things I went through did not make sense at the time but I now see they were necessary to have happened. The Lord is in control and those who diligently seek Him will have revelation and an abundance of grace!
iwanttobelieveingod 