Day 25....Transformed by Trouble

This is not pleasant. It's the realization that in order for sanctification to occur, the heat has to be turned up. That can be an unsettling thought. So often I've said, "Whatever we go through, we grow through. And if we don't grow through it, chances are, we'll go through it, again." There are mountains and valleys in our walk on this earth. Enjoy the mountaintops because in between there are going to be low times......valleys. Sometimes it will seem as if there is no one up there listening to you. It will seem as if all hope is lost. But it's really then that we realize our closest relationship with God. It's then, and only then, that we TRULY surrender. Like I've said before, talk is cheap. Real cheap. You will find few who really mean what they say, and say what they mean. It's difficult, because sometimes I don't know what I mean either.

Romans 8:28 has always been one of my favorites. It's just like building a house. First there's the foundation. You must receive the free gift of salvation......Jesus. Then comes the frame, the "bones" of the house. Then the sheetrock (walls & ceiling). Then comes plumbing, flooring, and cabinets. All these things are needed to create a nice house. We are the temple of the Lord. We are being built from the ground up. BUT, the house will not last if it's not built on a solid foundation.......the Rock.....Jesus Christ.

This is off the subject somewhat, but sometimes after preaching, or praying for someone they'll thank me. I always am gracious, but I also want them to understand that it has VERY little to do with me. I view myself as a tool in the Master's hands. I like to say, a hammer. When a carpenter builds your house, do you pay the hammer? Or thank the hammer? No. You pay the Master, or the one who built the house. If I were in control, all I could do is tear things down. But when He's in control, He builds beautiful houses. Praise God!

"What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?"

Oh man, there are several. But I guess I can say the greatest one would have to be lack. It makes me smile to say that. In the past when I had lots of money coming in on a daily basis....it was easy to forget God. I was too "comfortable". But as I began to be in lack, or in need, especially financially, it was truly then that I had to rely on my Daddy. All my bills were paid on time even though there wasn't money coming in. I was working as an outside salesman with no draw. In other words, no sales, no money. There were brothers in the Lord who would sometimes approach me, and just say, "The Lord told me to give you this." It would be $20 or $50, and I would know that there is nothing impossible for my God. He can do above and beyond what I can think or even imagine. He had used me to bless others in the past, and then, when I needed it, He sent others to bless me. Or, sometimes when a bill needed to be paid, the day before, a sale would come through......just in time. I really did grow lots and lots in those two years. I've had some lack recently, so I've had to wonder if I was falling off the Rock again, so to speak. God is good, all the time. More and more I'm recognizing that trouble, is more often my teacher, than my enemy. It's not always easy, but who said it would be?