An encouraging bit..

by Judy Jacobs
Most of us would do anything to avoid life’s trials. But God always brings good out of the hard times we endure.
There will always be an opposition to your mission. Whenever you step out and begin to walk in obedience to God, there is going to be some kind of opposition from the devil.Your opposition and adversity will take different forms at different times. Today you may be facing a health problem. Last year you may have been in a financial bind. Two years ago perhaps you lost your job.
Later on you might have a lot of trouble with your teenager or conflict in your marriage or a difficult relationship with someone on the job. Sometimes your opposition is discouragement, sleepless nights or the stress of having too much to do.God never promised that you were going to float along on this journey of life, smelling roses and never having another problem from the day you were saved. He did promise, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you" (Is. 43:2, NKJV).Get it through your head that trials, tests and all kinds of difficulties are inevitable. God will allow as many of them as you can handle, and He always knows how much you can handle. Your part is to decide now that you are going all the way with Him, regardless of how much it hurts.
Giants in the Land

When the 12 spies came back to report to Moses about the promised land, the fearful ones reported that there were giants in the land (see Num. 13:32-33). Their report was enough to deter the people from making the effort to take the land that had been promised to them by God.

Is your promised land occupied by giants at the moment? Do they have names such as "insecurity," "insignificance," "unemployment," "deficiency," "sickness"? Who could possibly conquer territory that's being held by giants? Are you tempted, like the Israelites, to hold back and stay safe?

You should know that if you do that, your giants will only get bigger. They're not going anywhere unless God drives them out with His mighty right hand.

As a matter of fact, those giants are supposed to be there. They are letting you know you are about to come into your greatness and into your promised land—if you will stand up and fight.

Some of us started out fighting. But then we started looking at the problems. We started looking at the giants. Stop looking at the giants, and start looking at God. He's bigger.

God wants to show you, both by helping you through hardships and by delivering you from them, how powerful and faithful and loving He is. He is the lily of the valleys (see Song. 2:1). But how will you know that He is the lily if you don't have any valleys?

He is the "Bright and Morning Star" (Rev. 22:16). But how will you know He is shining so brightly if you have never encountered any darkness?

He is the deliverer. But in order to deliver you, God has to have some kind of tribulation to deliver you from! He is the healer. But how will you know that He is the healer if you don't ever experience His healing touch?

Opposition and adversity, even the fiercest kinds, are never completely bad. In fact, God always turns around what seems to be meant for evil into something good (see Rom. 8:28).

Moses responded to them: "'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.' ...
nfair circumstances, unfriendly accusations and ill health provide us with a perfect opportunity to manifest the grace of God. When we are presented with challenging situations, we cannot escape unless we lean hard on His grace.

Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians? He told them that they had been saved so that the life of Jesus could be manifested in their bodies (see 2 Cor. 4:10). In other words, while they were still here on the earth in their weak bodies, they were supposed to show forth the glory of God—in the midst of and because of their adversities.

Next time that jealous neighbor of yours becomes a mudslinger, watch God work in you and through you as you respond in wisdom and love. The experience may not be much fun, but you can expect God's grace to supply you with the right attitude and the right words.

Next time you can't sleep at night, ask for His patience and perspective. Next time you hurt all over and your boss tells you to work late, receive God's help to persevere—with joy.

Sometimes you have to step out on nothing and watch God turn it into something. You have to trust Him to take what the devil meant for bad and turn it into good. You have to stop running from your giants, stand strong and watch God defeat them.