April 26

April 26, 2011 ~

“A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.” - English Proverb

Today, I have had several things on my mind; such as trials, difficulties, adversities, and struggles. Things I want done and behind me. At one point I was driving and thought, “I am tired of this! I just want to be done!” It was then that a text came to my mind,  2 Corinthians 12:9, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Now, I really wasn’t ready to give up, but I realized how weak I am on my own, and how much I need the strength that comes with God’s grace. 

Now as I read the verse in context with the verses around it, I realize that I am no different than Paul. Here I am, “complaining” as was Paul, about my difficulties, just like Paul, God brought to my mind “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Then like Paul, realizing my difficulties are helping me to stay humble and become a better person with Christ’s help. “For when I am weak, than I am strong.” (vs. 10)

I am reminded that difficult situations and trials, are actually a gift helping me see my need for the gift of God’s grace. All I need is to quit focusing on my troubles and start appreciating the gift and let Christ’s strength take my weakness away! Just give the difficult situations, no matter what they are, or whether they are my fault or not, and give them to Christ! The weaker I get, the stronger I become, because of God’s gift of grace! I have a choice, let mistakes and adversities control my thoughts, fuss, whine, and complain, or accept God’s grace and accept adversity?

It is here where I’d like to start my Happy For A Reason reason’s. My challenge today is to find five reason’s why I can be happy for life’s adversities, difficulties, and trials.

Happy For A Reason reason’s:

1.    My difficulties help me see how weak I am and how strong I can be with God’s help!

2.    Difficulties can help me learn better ways to do things.

3.    Difficulties strengthen my faith and teach me to trust God completely. He has promised “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28, NKJV. I guess you could say, to teach me obedience from the heart not just the head.    

4.    Difficulties me help to build Godly character and the attitude of Christ from the inside out.

5.    Each difficulty helps me see areas in my life that I have not totally surrendered to God. I guess you could say it helps me identify the impurities that need removed. It is the process used for being refined and becoming a better person.

“I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people;’ and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’” ~Zechariah 13:9

THE SILVERSMITH

Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:

    "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).

One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.

She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"


"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"

"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

-Author Unknown