Two days ago, I was struggling through some inner turmoil. Like I've mentioned in a few prior posts, the Lord is allowing me some enemy exposure. He's comforted me by relating my story to that of Job. There comes a time when we need to accept any and all things from the Lord. If He gives us discernment, it will lead us to understand what is in His plans and what is simply an unfair attack of the enemy.
"He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Job 2:10
Now, it's still true that Jesus has made us conquerors and overcomers. He has given us authority over the enemy and the opportunity to live in the Kingdom! But don't forget that even the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence (Matthew 11:12). And sometimes God allows us to go through unglamorous trials. Sometimes He allows a sifting. Often, our Lord will allow evil so that we have something that we need His assistance with. It's His perfect will that every trial, every sifting, builds our faith so that we can go from strength to strength. Look at Simon Peter's situation prior to the arrest of Jesus--it was not the Will of God to actively intervene!
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 23:32
So a few days ago God spoke to me about what my response to these trials should be. I felt Him actually telling me to "grin and bear it". That surprised me! It's taken a few confirmations for me to put faith in this message. But by His wisdom I've began understanding what He means by it.
The Lord wants us to acknowledge His sovereignty in all situations. He needs us to believe, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us, that He is in control and that nothing can possibly separate us from His Love. He wants us holding onto His promises, regardless of our feelings.
Because if we know the truth, we will be able to "grin and bear" our way past obstacles. We will be able to hold steadfast. With the power of His Love, we will be able to patiently endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). God was speaking to me about the manner in which I should be enduring things. In this case, I just need to accept that He's allowing me more enemy exposure! As seen in Luke 23:32, it's His will that I come out of my testing with greater faith. Then He can use me to strengthen the faith in others! His will for my attitude is to "grin and bear it" in the midst of confusing trials. Why wouldn't I believe He is good? Unconditional joy is the response that we need to take when God allows hardship in our lives.
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2
Even when David was in trouble he could identify the truth. We need to develop an immovable faith. Lord give us the Gift of Faith! If we know the truth, we can call on God and trust that He will give us a complete renewal. He renews us and saves us from trouble, and then we have a platform to build on.
"I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:3
This is always what happens next. God has promised to rescue us from all our troubles. He has promised to work all things for our good. So grin and bear it!
Confirmed: A unique prophetic word was just released on the Elijahlist. Here it is. This message really, really ministered to me, as several confirmations stood out. Below in italics are some short excerpts, and I bolded what stuck out to me:
"This new WAVE of glory will be released to excite people once again. During these days of crisis I will show you I am here, and I Am. Plus, I'll show you how wonderful I am..."
"...Do not be afraid. Stand and see the salvation of the LORD! For I am going to release FUN to the Church! And you will feel the wind! It's for ALL. Just learn to laugh, and watch the enemy flee!"
He who sits in the Heavens shall laugh... Psalm 2:4
Just learn to laugh. Grin and bear it...and have confidence in God, even in the midst of warfare. Thanks to His power we don't have to be afraid--all we have to do is rest in Him (2 Chronicles 20:17). When Elijah was surrounded by the wicked prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, He laughed at them! I'm not sure that he acted perfectly, but it showed the position of faith he had taken. He trusted God! He knew his protection was ensured. More than that, he knew who he'd been called to--the one true God, the only One who is living and loving right now. All he had to do was let God take the reigns. All he had to do was laugh!
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 1 Kings 18:27
And sometimes that's what we need to do today. God's deliverance will come. We may be surrounded by enemies and our own confusion. We may feel like God has allowed a delay. And maybe He has...but He will break through!
Look at Elijah...He was perfectly content to stand still and wait for the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13). We need to be the same. We need to love Him enough to seek Him despite any difficulties He may allow. We need to be willing to wait on Him. We need to offer up ourselves for testing, according to God's own will. And when testing comes, we can rest in the victory that Jesus has already obtained for us. Glory to God!
"He replied, 'You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?' In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Job 2:10
Now, it's still true that Jesus has made us conquerors and overcomers. He has given us authority over the enemy and the opportunity to live in the Kingdom! But don't forget that even the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence (Matthew 11:12). And sometimes God allows us to go through unglamorous trials. Sometimes He allows a sifting. Often, our Lord will allow evil so that we have something that we need His assistance with. It's His perfect will that every trial, every sifting, builds our faith so that we can go from strength to strength. Look at Simon Peter's situation prior to the arrest of Jesus--it was not the Will of God to actively intervene!
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 23:32
So a few days ago God spoke to me about what my response to these trials should be. I felt Him actually telling me to "grin and bear it". That surprised me! It's taken a few confirmations for me to put faith in this message. But by His wisdom I've began understanding what He means by it.
The Lord wants us to acknowledge His sovereignty in all situations. He needs us to believe, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us, that He is in control and that nothing can possibly separate us from His Love. He wants us holding onto His promises, regardless of our feelings.
Because if we know the truth, we will be able to "grin and bear" our way past obstacles. We will be able to hold steadfast. With the power of His Love, we will be able to patiently endure all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). God was speaking to me about the manner in which I should be enduring things. In this case, I just need to accept that He's allowing me more enemy exposure! As seen in Luke 23:32, it's His will that I come out of my testing with greater faith. Then He can use me to strengthen the faith in others! His will for my attitude is to "grin and bear it" in the midst of confusing trials. Why wouldn't I believe He is good? Unconditional joy is the response that we need to take when God allows hardship in our lives.
"The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:2
Even when David was in trouble he could identify the truth. We need to develop an immovable faith. Lord give us the Gift of Faith! If we know the truth, we can call on God and trust that He will give us a complete renewal. He renews us and saves us from trouble, and then we have a platform to build on.
"I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies." Psalm 18:3
This is always what happens next. God has promised to rescue us from all our troubles. He has promised to work all things for our good. So grin and bear it!
Confirmed: A unique prophetic word was just released on the Elijahlist. Here it is. This message really, really ministered to me, as several confirmations stood out. Below in italics are some short excerpts, and I bolded what stuck out to me:
"This new WAVE of glory will be released to excite people once again. During these days of crisis I will show you I am here, and I Am. Plus, I'll show you how wonderful I am..."
"...Do not be afraid. Stand and see the salvation of the LORD! For I am going to release FUN to the Church! And you will feel the wind! It's for ALL. Just learn to laugh, and watch the enemy flee!"
He who sits in the Heavens shall laugh... Psalm 2:4
Just learn to laugh. Grin and bear it...and have confidence in God, even in the midst of warfare. Thanks to His power we don't have to be afraid--all we have to do is rest in Him (2 Chronicles 20:17). When Elijah was surrounded by the wicked prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, He laughed at them! I'm not sure that he acted perfectly, but it showed the position of faith he had taken. He trusted God! He knew his protection was ensured. More than that, he knew who he'd been called to--the one true God, the only One who is living and loving right now. All he had to do was let God take the reigns. All he had to do was laugh!
At noon Elijah began to taunt them. "Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." 1 Kings 18:27
And sometimes that's what we need to do today. God's deliverance will come. We may be surrounded by enemies and our own confusion. We may feel like God has allowed a delay. And maybe He has...but He will break through!
Look at Elijah...He was perfectly content to stand still and wait for the salvation of the Lord (Exodus 14:13). We need to be the same. We need to love Him enough to seek Him despite any difficulties He may allow. We need to be willing to wait on Him. We need to offer up ourselves for testing, according to God's own will. And when testing comes, we can rest in the victory that Jesus has already obtained for us. Glory to God!
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