“OBEY GOD AND LEAVE THE CONSEQUENCES TO HIM”

That’s the advice I’m running with from Dr. Charles Stanley. Your girl has been going through a tough time with a situation, but listening to him (another one of my messengers from God!) yesterday, I knew precisely what God would have me do. He spoke very sternly to me in his YouTube sermon entitled, ‘Wisdom for Life’s Trials:’

“One of the most frequently asked questions is this: Why is it that God, who’s a loving Father, allows His children to go through such terrible trials? Painful, sorrowing trials (me right now!). Where is God in all that? And there is an answer in the Word of God. It ‘s the only place you can get the real answer. So what does the Word of God say about the trials that you and I face? Well, I want you to turn, if you will, to James chapter one, because he deals with this whole issue of facing these trials in our life and facing them WISELY (Exactly what my brother, Kevin has been teaching me. He told me he wanted me to work on being a wise woman).

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once He has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (This verse spoke directly to me because I feel I get knocked upside the head continuously, but I keep getting back up and going back into the ring to get more blows in the head (not real blows, by the way!), but I do it for God’s crown on my life. He is my reward. He gives me more than I can ever ask or imagine.)

Does he really and truly mean that I am to have joy when I encounter various trials? In other words, we might say joy, or, put it this way, trials and tears; trials and heartache; trials and burdens; trial and rejection; trial and suffering. But trial and joy, those two don’t go together. Well, they don’t go together unless you understand God’s viewpoint of what life’s all about…In order to understand the trial, and in order to understand it in a fashion that I’m able to have this deep sense of joy down inside in spite of what’s happening, I have to have wisdom. I need wisdom to know how to look at this.

So, let’s define wisdom. Wisdom is simply this. The Bible says all wisdom starts with reverencing God. Wisdom is viewing things, listen, seeing things from God’s viewpoint and then responding according to scriptural principles. It isn’t enough for me to see as God sees it, but I’m to respond in the way that fits who I am as a follower of Jesus and to fit the Holy Scriptures.

So it’s seeing it as He sees it and following the scriptural principles that He gives to us. And when we do that, for example, I think it’s pretty evident we will be able to evaluate circumstances in people and make the right decision. And we’ll be able to make decisions based on the past experiences in our life, the present situation that’s there, and the future plans that we have.”

Exactly what I’m doing to make the right decisions! I’m looking at past experiences, the present, and future based on Godly principles (not the world’s) that have worked for me:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22

“Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.” – Proverbs 3:3-4

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”- Exodus 14:14

“Honor those leaders who work so hard for you… Overwhelm them with appreciation and love.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Not easy when the crazy lady wants to come out, but I do it based on knowing that God’s ways for my life are always best. His wisdom has never failed me. In fact, they have guided my life to a beautiful path despite the difficulties and challenges that I face. I can indeed count it all joy that God is using everything for my good and helping me to become the wife, mother and person He would have me to be. Amen. TRUST ME; WE NEVER LOSE WITH GOD.

Thank you, Dr. Stanley, for all the sermons that are helping to guide me confidently through a rough time in my life. (HUGE SMILE)