A Trial of Transition

16 Replies

James 1:2-4

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:

  1. God is in control
  2. God loves me
  3. 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

Related articles

16 thoughts on “A Trial of Transition”

  1. Talitha Kum

    Amen brother! So true! Thank you so much for this word of encouragement. Today you are my messenger from the Lord and an answer to my prayers. I’m exactly in the same spot like you are. Trying to follow what I once understood as my personal revelation of God about where my future suppose to lead me, trying to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, I was not looking for easy ways to pay my bills because I knew they would distract me from the path. Now I’ve graduated, and I’m out of work for a while. For the longest I had this incredible peace inside even when sometimes I scraped change from the pockets to catch a bus. I knew I am on the right track. I knew that the easier job options will tempt me with power and pride, and will lead me to all kinds of ungodly situations and places. So I was praying and waiting, and trying to work the plan God opened to me. But as months pass… my faith is being tested. So I thank you so much for brining me back to the right track and to trusting in God’s awesome plan for me. Bless you!

    Reply ↓
    1. Justin Post author

      I’m so glad He has spoken to you Talitha! God never ceases to amaze me in the many ways He can speak. Here’s a word for you:

      “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you…” -Exodus 14:13
      “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” -Exodus 14:14

      I’m praying for you knowing that God will continue to show His faithfulness and bless you with peace in times of uncertain situations. God bless! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  3. waitingformymiracle

    As I read this, I am also reminded of Chris Tomlin’s song King of Angel Armies (I think that’s the official name of it.) A line in the song states that He goes before us and stands behind us. I’ve always loved the image and truth of Him going before us, but when I really grasped that He’s also standing behind us, it brought me even more comfort. We are completely surrounded by Him! There isn’t one angle of our journey that is not seen by Abba. I believe it’s safe for me to say that we have been “out of the boat and walking on the water” for over a decade following what Father God has asked us to do on this journey. Never has He left us. He has always encouraged us in various ways. I would not go back for anything and change this journey. It is amazing. I wish you encouragement each moment and the knowledge of His presence ALWAYS guiding you and bringing up the rear as well. Thanks for posting truth.

    Reply ↓
    1. Justin Post author

      That’s a great visual to think of God as being completely surrounded by him. Reminds of the verse in Revelation – He was and is and is to come. Then in my reading today saw this verse which goes with what you’ve said:

      And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. – Exodus 14:19

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply ↓
    1. Justin Post author

      Thanks for the comment Len. You are always an encouragement. May God’s word continue to come forth from you as well and bless you in your testimony and opportunities to emit the light of Christ in you. 🙂

      Reply ↓
  5. rainingtruth

    Very good post. Thank you. I have been thinking the last few days how disappointing and frustrating it must be to Our Father when we don’t trust him and doubt him all the time. He is so patient he is with us.

    Reply ↓
    1. Justin Post author

      Thank you for commenting. I’m so thankful He’s a God of patience!! I can’t even begin to fathom the Lord’s patience He has shown just to me alone.

      “Love is patient…” -1 Cor 13:4

      Reply ↓

  6. Pingback: God’s Will In The Midst Of God’s Will « Write With God

  7. kelly6068

    I just stumbled onto your blog and wanted to encourage to you to continue to share with passion and vulnerability. Both are reflected in your words and I know God is using you to bring light. Thanks for sharing!
    As for your current post I remembered something I read that has been really encouraging to me in times of trial ….REMEMBER the teacher is always silent during the test. More times than not I have realized that precious time before a trial or season of silence has actually prepared me for this time…I just have to get still and quiet before the Lord and remember those words of instruction.

    Reply ↓
  8. Don

    Thank you for trusting, smiling, and and also sharing in the midst of your trial. You remind me of the middle of Psalm 84: Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring; indeed the early rain covers it with blessings. “Baca” means “weeping” yet there is also the inner “spring” and the “early rain” that is visible to faith. Much grace be with you.

    Reply ↓
  11. Freedomborn

    Thank you Justin for sharing honestly from your heart, what comforts me is knowing that God does not cause us to suffer or willingly allow it but He does strenghen us in it and as you said we can be grateful because impossible situations give Him a chance to show His glory, provision and grace in our lives but also His great Love and compassion. God tells us ( see below ) that He does not afflict us or Temp us and and that His plans for us are very good.

    Lamentations 3: 33 For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.

    Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”

    Jeremiah 29 :11-12 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

    James 1:12-14 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

    We also have today Justin, something more wonderful then a cloud, we have the Lord Himself, who comes into our hearts and guides and teaches us and gives us His bread and living water which is His very substance and being through the empowering of The Holy Spirit.

    The rest of the Scripture Justin that you shared in James, is an awesome answer to any doubts and confusion we may have.

    Christian Love from both of us – Anne.

    Reply ↓

Leave a reply to rainingtruth Cancel reply