Sunday, Day #25 Transformed by Trouble

"God has a purpose behind every problem.

Life is a series of problems.  Not all of them are big, but all are significant in God's growth process for you.

God uses problems to draw you closer to himself.  "The lord is close to the heartbroken; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit".

It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers.  When we're in pain, we don't have the energy for superficial prayers.  We learn things about God in suffering that we can't learn any other way.

You'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got.

Because God is sovereignty in control, accidents are just incidents in God's good plan for you.  Because every day of your life was written on God's calendar before you were born, everything that happens to you has spiritual significance.

Romans 8:28-29
"We know"  God is in complete control of our universe and the he loves us.
"that God causes" There's a grand designer
"everything"  God's plan for your life involves all that happens to you.
"to work together" Not separately or independently
"for the good" God specializes in bringing good out of it.
"of those who love God and are called" This promise is only for God's children.  It is not for everyone.
"according to his purpose" God's purpose is that we become like his Son.

Every problem is a character building opportunity.  "We know that these troubles produce patience.  And patience produces character.

The Bible says Jesus "learned obedience through suffering" and "was made perfect through suffering."  

Remember that God's plan is good.  It is vital that you stay focused on God's plan, not your pain or problem.  "If we are to share his glory, we must share his suffering.  What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later."

God tells us to give thanks "in all circumstances" not "for all circumstances."  Rejoice "in the Lord." No matter what's happening.  We can also rejoice in knowing that God is going through the pain with us....he enters into our suffering.  God will never leave us on our own.

Character building is a slow process.  If you are having trouble right now, don't ask, "Why me?"  Instead ask, "what do you want me to learn."  PDL Chapter 25

For me as a new Christian, this chapter is very scary.  My life is wonderful!  I have day to day issues and problems, but nothing of significance.  My reading this chapter suggests that life will become difficult for me in order for God to test my faith and build my character.  I'm afraid about that.  I hope and pray that when it happens, that I can stay focused on God's plan, rather than my trial ans ask what it is that I am supposed to learn from the trial.  Giving thanks in all circumstances is an amazing thing for me and something I will continue to work on.  Here is a great video clip regarding this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUtFV127i-s