Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Face To Face with God

“God loves you. He loves you so much that He’s allowed this trial to push you to the point where you have no choice but to look to Him.” ~ When Life is Hard by James MacDonald ~


Oh the “T” word, trials! Been there done that and seems like I keep going through them. Just the other day I was thinking about how they work. They say trials draw us closer to God but I was picturing in my mind how that is done. With some people when they are going through trials they tend to turn on God. They get angry with Him for “all the things they are going through.” Others rediscover a God they once ignored. Others get the pleasure of drawing closer to an already close God.


It’s probably safe to say people don’t instantly going running to God with a grin on their face saying, “Oh thank you Lord for this trial. Thank you so much I was getting bored and needed something new to go through.” No what generally happens is the fact that when we go through trials everything seems to be a total upset. Things get wild, crazy, depressing, and tough. Our natural tendency is to turn to a place of safety, a place we can lean against for strength.


For some that place of refuge is alcohol, drugs, sex, food, or other things rather than God. These all being temporary fixes that soon lose their ability to shield us from what we are going through. Eventually they wind up making our trial worse instead of better.


Experience and instincts have showed that God is that secure place we can run to. Not a place to hide or escape to but a place to lean upon. Therefore when life knocks us flat on our backs and we have no other place to look but up that’s where we need to go. However, amazingly enough even then some people will stubbornly lie on the floor of life with their eyes clinched tightly shut still refusing to look to God. As life knocks them down they shout out in anger, “if God really loved me He wouldn’t be allowing this to happen.”


Wow, what a horrible picture we have allowed the world to paint for us regarding God’s love. He’s not the one that puts in the order for X amount of trials to be sent to this person and that. Trials seem to show up on their own in the mailbox of our lives marked “occupant.” Whoever got it got it. Whether we want to admit it or not because of choices we make on our own we are the ones mailing ourselves most of our trials.


When properly handled trials can turn out to be something of worth. I know, you think I’m crazy but they do. Can you honestly say you would have looked to, leaned upon, relied on God as much as you do if it wasn’t for your trials? I ask myself that. I probably never would have been as close to God as I am today if it wasn’t for the trials I had to face in life.


They weren’t there as an “in my face” taunt that God didn’t love me. No they were there to get me to look God in the face so He could tell me how much He loved me. Words followed by the gesture of Him taking by the hand and walking me through each and every trial I was required to attend.


Recently with my diagnoses of cancer I told my sister Robin I felt like God was telling me, “I need to borrow you for a moment.” Where this trial will lead I don’t know but I know God is still looking at me in the face telling me He loves me. The question is am I going to look back and give Him the same the message? My actions will tell. My attitude will reveal the answer as I go face-to-face with God.


© 2011 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing

11 comments:

Debbie Petras said...

Thank you for joining in on this quote. I think all of us are going through trials one way or another right now. I love that we can encourage one another too. I also believe that God is molding us through trials to become more like Jesus. However, it is so hard at times and easy to just want to scream "enough". But He knows just how much we can bear. I don't like my trials but I'm so thankful I'm not going through them alone. He is right there with me every step of the way.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Miriam Pauline said...

Your actions absolutely tell of your love for him. I am awed at how you can share this trial and teach us so much about trust. Thanks for sharing today.

Bonnie W said...

Karen - Great post!

"Trials seem to show up on their own in the mailbox of our lives marked “occupant.” Whoever got it got it. Whether we want to admit it or not because of choices we make on our own we are the ones mailing ourselves most of our trials" --- I like this, it's right on!

Also true is the idea that a lot of the pain we suffer comes because we don't accept His hand to help us in those trials. Instead we're struggling against His efforts to help us, fighting Him tooth and nail.

I'm praying for you today, sweet sister!

Marsha Young said...

Karen,
I admire your ability to continue to deal with your present trial, and at the same time, to step "outside of yourself" and look at it from another perspecitive.

You are doing well, and those of us who are praying for you are proud of you!

Your observation that "we mail ourselves most of our trials" - boy, does THAT one hit the mark! I definitely need to quit licking so many of my own stamps. :)
God bless you and continue to guide you - Marsha Young

Yolanda said...

Karen,
I live in Oregon too. Where do you live ? I live in Mc MInnville. Hope you are having a lovely week.

Tami said...

Trials aren't an “in my face” taunt that God didn’t love me.

How I related to this. Why do we go there first?

So proud of your response to your scary diagnosis. Thanks for showing the rest of us how it's done.

Unknown said...

Just came across your blog by accident. I love your thoughts on trials. Thanks for the uplifting ideas. -ocdhousewife.blogspot.com

Dakota said...

Hey, I just came across your blog by doing a bit of blog-surfing, and I'm glad I did! I've added myself as your newest follower, and I hope you'll check out my Christian devotional site as well: www.nocondemnation81.blogspot.com

Have a blessed day!

In Christ,
Dakota

Rebekah said...

Just wanted to let you know that you are a great encouragement, and you are in my prayers! Great post.

Love ya!

Marsha Young said...

Hi, Karen
I don't know what happened, but I thought I left a comment here yesterday. I like your imagery of God telling you He needed to "borrow you for a moment."

There have been times when I felt like He "borrowed me" and then forgot to return me to the library of the living, and instead left me in a cave like the Dead Sea Scrolls. But He never forgets us, does He?

Glad you are still listening to Him. We are keeping you in prayer. God bless you - Marsha

Anonymous said...

So inspiring. And the James MacDonald quote is convicting. Have found his most recent book Always True to be a real anchor and encouragement. You might like it too.