God graciously answered many prayers last week. He is far more faithful to perform His word than I am in trusting His word.
On Thursday and Friday our family made our way to Toronto for Uncle Steve’s wedding. Steve is my husband’s younger brother. Turning 52 this month (October 2011) he finally graduated from bachelorhood and became one with Eve, my new Canadian sister-in-law. As a married couple, they are no longer Eve & Stephen, but a new creation in Christ. The adventure begins!
If you follow this blog you know how God has been teaching me about trials. Paul challenges us to look at troubles and afflictions with gratitude instead of the way we humans normally respond. He writes in Romans 5: 3-5(amplified translation),
“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of] character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.
The Greek word for troubles or trials is ‘thlipsis’. The purpose of this pressure or distress is multifold. Through problems and adverse circumstances, we come face to face with our helplessness and dependence on God. He helps us SEE that He is enough as our resource and that HE alone is trustworthy and that in Christ we can do all things. Learning experientially that God suffices is worth more than gold. Unfortunately, the only way we ‘get this’ is by living out our inadequacy and being forced to depend on God. Probably like you, I don’t relish problems. I want to know that all things are working out according to my desires.
Last weekend, Air Canada chose to strike during the busy holiday weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving. I ended up fretting more than trusting God. Both of the travel days that our kids and grandkids were making their way to Toronto, I did NOT rest in the Lord. I just wanted them to get there. I personified ‘angst’. I did not cling to bible truths and promises. I complained to my heavenly Father. But thanks be to God who blesses us with the gift of repentance and the reminder that in Christ there is no condemnation. So multiple times those two days I asked for forgiveness and for help in trusting Him to work out the circumstances gone awry.
And our two young families eventually arrived.
The rest of the weekend was lovely. The weather cooperated. The little ones did well despite NO routine and missed naps. We had time to hang out with family and catch up on lives. And Eve & Stephen were happily united. Here are some pictures.
Oct 12, 2011 @ 20:33:13
I’m so glad all went well. I have the same problem trusting in the Lord. We just need to let go and let God! The bride and groom are beautiful. We were on Air Canada (Montreal-Toronto-Orlando) on October 1. We had been on a St. Lawrence River cruise. Fabulous time and weather.
Oct 12, 2011 @ 21:56:24
Cathy – no matter how many times God runs me through the same lesson, I still have trouble and stumble about 75 % of the time. I am encouraged the times I can just leave the outcome in his hands. I think it has to do with expectations and wanting things to go MY way.
Sounds like God blessed you with great weather too!
May you fall more in love with Jesus this day!