Storm Warning
Living in California, we don’t have tornado warnings because we don’t have tornadoes. If we did, I would have had a doozy of a warning come in last week. My life has been like fast and furious moving winds lately. And daily trials were pelting me like a torrential downpour.
Is it just me, or are there times in your life where trials come on like a rapid fire machine gun? In only one weeks time we had one gargantuan car problem, a child taken to ER, our Internet went down, our phone lines went down, my new laptop gently fell to the floor dying instantly, and the next day our freezer went into a heat induced coma for twenty four hours- just long enough to thaw out all of the food inside.
The verse above speaks of the faith of Abraham who patiently endured. Like a marathon runner, he took each step forward, no matter what the cost. His reward for enduring patiently was obtaining the promise, God’s promise. His promises to us are blessings in our lives that aren’t able to be measured, blessings such as; grace, mercy, faith, hope, love, peace, and joy.
By the time I was in the triple digit heat of my garage, filling garbage sacks of thawed out food, I was starting to find the past few days events almost humorous. My teenage daughter was helping me bag up the deceased freezer items when I told her, “Meg, these trials aren’t going to get the best of your mom. These are only labor pains. I know the blessing is on its way. I am counting this all joy, honey.” Meg looked at me as if I had two heads. “What are you staring at?” I asked, looking up from my squishy food filled sack. “Why are you looking at me that way?” “Because mom, you have not sounded this happy all week. I am just surprised that’s all.”
I realized then that she was right. I had been letting the trials of the past few days bring me down, way down. I prayed out loud right there and then, “Lord, I know the blessings are just around the corner. Help me God to endure every single one that comes my way. I am going to pass these tests Father, with flying colors.”
If my almost grown daughter was going to stand shoulder to shoulder with her mom through her latest freezer-trial, she was going to learn in the storm. Bending over her garbage sack, my daughter just looked up at me and smiled.
After all, this is only a test.
Make sure to stop by and say Hi!
Oh, Joanne, you have no idea how much I needed to read your devotion this morning. I have had a not so good couple of weeks. Today I will remind myself “This is only a test”!!!!
Thank you for sharing these encouraging words with us…
Joanne, I was reminded of the saying “when it rains it pours” when reading your devo this morning. So many times it seems this is how it is in my life … when one thing hits – it usually comes in three or four. But I always have to remember that without a TEST I would not have a TESTimony! So leaning upon Gods strength during those times is the only way to plow thru it! Hope you have a better week…blessings.
What a wonderful reminder. I think at times we have a part in making our trials last longer by grumbling and complaining instead of praising Him through the storm!
All I can say is …I totally understand! I am in the midst of so many trials and challenges and I’m seeking to trust the Lord. I needed to read this today. I guess I’m getting weary of all the testing. But I choose to praise Him in the midst of the storm. Thank you for this timely reminder.
Blessings,
Debbie
Bless you for being a true blessing by sharing this sweetie.
Joanne,
This is absolutely a delightful post and I soooo related. I can just see you and your daughter standing in the garage and having this conversation..
Girl, you amaze me and inspire me. Love you….