"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--...A time for war..."Eccles. 3:1,8b
The last 3 months could definitely be in the running for the hardest 3 months of my life. When things are easy, I have a tendency to forget I am in a war. But when things become hard, those trials become the alarm clock that wake me up to reality. And the reality is, God has called me to battle.
I am called to be a soldier. A soldier is always ready for battle. I need to be armed and ready to fight for my family and all the saints in prayer; to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ; and to always remember I am not wrestling against flesh and blood but spiritual hosts of wickedness.
Because unforseen circumstances with our economy have hit us hard, I can easily find myself on the verge of really feeling sorry for myself. It's a horrid sin, and the absolute OPPOSITE of God's will for my life. God's will is that I would be thankful for our financial trials. Really, truly, genuinely thankful because I know and am CONVINCED that God is good and that these trials are producing in me a far greater and eternal weight of glory.
I also need to remember that God is using these difficult times to produce patience in me. As a woman, patience is a great virtue. I casually define patience as "being able to wait WITHOUT SINNING." This means that when things are really hard, my heart is just as content and joyful as if things were easy, because I am fully trusting in God and my eyes are fixed on eternity. I can rejoice because God is providing me with a great opportunit to increase my patience, to practice giving thanks in all circumstances, and to remember I am in a war as a soldier and my duty is to endure hardship faithfully.
"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:3
"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison." 2 Corinthians 4:17
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3
