Smiles through Trials

The above photos has nothing to do with my post, but it's the latest of my little lady. :) She is always ready to put on a smile. :)

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Lately we've had a few setbacks - if you will - in life. Things to worry about, and of course, I'm a worrier...it's in my blood, so it seems to take a toll on me more than Chris. Some times it just seems as if you are praying and God has His back turned, or His fingers in his ears? I know He doesn't really, but is there a point where we know it in our head, but haven't accepted it in our hearts? I think so.

When situations get you down it's easy to say and be told,
"Give it time, it'll work out",
"Just keep praying, the answer will come when He knows you need it",or maybe...
"It's just a trial, you'll get through it, just keep trusting the Lord".

Honestly these don't help. When someone is going through a seemingly hopeless issue or situation, the only thing that really helps is to know that others are praying and then it's up to the one worrying about it, to actually accept those truths and deal. It has to be accepted in the heart and not the head, which is hardest, but once done, is so much easier to really give things up and trust the Lord.

He says in His word:

(Isaiah 55:8&9) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.


And we cannot forget Dear Job. Nobody would understand our hurts, griefs, or losses like Job. (besides God, of course)When he was going through all he was the Lord finally told him (Chap 38 -41) all He is in control of. There is so much and it is so humbling, you need to read it, but it really really really puts things into proper perspective to do just what we can, and back off. Praise the Lord! Let God be God. We can not change anything without His help and the quicker we come to that realization the more content we will be.

1 Peter 5:6 & 7
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you.

What would this journey we are on to be more perfect and Christ-like be if there weren't bumps in the road and reasons to really trust in God? It's too easy to say we trust and feel that we do, and then when our faith is put to the test, ask God why He is letting us go through this.

(Matthew 5:45)38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
and (Eccl. 3:16, 17;)And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

So, for whatever the Lord has in our future, my prayer would be that we wouldn't get discouraged, but that we eagerly look forward to what He brings out of our trials and how He shows Himself.

Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.