Sisters, mom & me 2009
My sisters and I have a saying, “We will praise Him: win or lose.” Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it?!?!
This short sentence reminds us daily that no matter what happens during our life…God is ALWAYS in control, He loves us and He is our saving grace!
Don’t get me wrong. This is not an easy task in many situations.
For example, we prayed and prayed and prayed for my dad’s cancer to be healed. Guess what? It wasn’t. Yet, we praised God for dad’s life, his gifts and his love. Additionally, we praised God for the overwhelming sense of protection and love we felt from God throughout the entire experience.
We realized we were blessed throughout the trial even when we didn’t like the outcome.
The important thing to remember is that God is ALWAYS TO BE PRAISED – win or lose.
You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Isaiah 12:1-6
Think about it. When we win…of course, we are happy with God. Obviously, this makes a ton of sense because, well, we are getting our way.
But what about when we lose? And by lose, I mean, don’t get our way, suffer tragedy, experience pain or endure sorrow. Hmmm…that’s a hard one.
Here’s a few things that can be learned from the lowest points in our lives:
- Suffering produces maturity and growth.
- Suffering prepares us to help others.
- Suffering develops mercy in us.
- Suffering cultivates compassion within us.
- Suffering leads us to be humble before God.
- Suffering shows God’s power through our weakness.
- Suffering prepares us for the future.
- Suffering teaches us to trust God.
- Suffering teaches us patience.
- Suffering imparts the mind of Jesus Christ.
Bad stuff happens and people suck (that one’s for you, Sandy – what would I do without you?!?!?). We know this. The sad part is that we suck, too…on more occasions than we’d like to remember.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
Understanding that God is in control and will lead us through ANYTHING we face is critical to a peaceful existence and a relationship based on trust.
The real question is whether or not we are willing to trust God and patiently wait for His deliverance when trouble comes our way? Eeeeekkkkk!!!!
And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me. Psalm 50:15
Unfortunately, it is by our troubles and suffering that softens our hearts enough, matures us, humbles us and breaks our hearts to a point where we allow God to put us back together and make us whole in HIM.
Although, this process hurts, upsets, angers, saddens, offends and wounds our pride…it is still here for a reason and a greater purpose. In fact, the faster we give our problems and worries to God the quicker we will feel His peace, love, joy and hope. The trial may still be present, but the fear, agony and misery will be gone.
Now, that’s some good news!!!
If you are in the midst of a trial, tragedy or tribulation – PRAY, PRAY, PRAY. Don’t expect it to go away, but believe that God will give you His peace, strength and courage to withstand ANYTHING!
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 28:13 – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Love it! You and our sisters hang in there! It will not go away but together you 4 have the strength and courage to see it through! 😉