In the Word #1: The Value of Our Journey
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…” ~ from Paul, Phillipians 1:12
What we have gone through is NOT for nothing. Our story…our journey…our trials have been for a purpose. And that purpose has been to bring us closer to God but also to bring others closer to God. How does this happen? Why are our trials so very important to the strength and salvation of others? Here are some points to consider.
- God will use all things for good for those who love Him. In Romans we read, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) I am not saying that everything will work out for good. Period. I am saying that for those who love God, for those who have surrendered their lives to God and are willing to step out and follow Him. God will use all of our story for good. He will use our lives…the good and the bad…to provide encouragement and hope to others. This is His promise! It is not just a possibility. But that means that we must step out of our comfort zones and GO where He is telling us. He will be faithful if we are faithful. Thank you, Jesus.
- You are not alone. When we share our stories, our trials, our victories through the strength of Christ, we are letting others know that when they are going through a similar experience, they are not alone. We are with them…GOD is with them. This is crucial. So often when we are in a valley of pain, loss, addiction, hurt or trauma, we feel isolated and alone. We feel that no one could possibly understand what we are going through. But when we share our story, we offer encouragement and connection to others. But not only are we providing that connection, we are reminding each other that Jesus is also with us…always. Through all things if we surrender our lives to Jesus, He will never leave us and He will bring us victory in our trials. Just as Jesus himself went through these trials. This brings us hope.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
- Victor vs. victim. When we allow God to walk with us through our trials, He offers us victory over our circumstances. Nothing is too big for God.
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27, NIV)
God is able to provide victory over all things. We are called to choose joy in all circumstances…the highs and the lows. Not “happiness” but joy in who Jesus is, not in what is happening around us. Even if our trials are not miraculously healed or changed or resolved, God promises if we walk through the trial, we will emerge with a deeper, more mature faith. Experiencing and overcoming our trials will lead to increasing our endurance, building our character, and deepening our hope in Jesus.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5, NLT)
For we know He is with us through it all. We do not have to stay stuck in victim mentality due to feeling helpless or hopeless or shame. We are given the choice to celebrate victory over our circumstances by inviting God into our lives and letting him lead us through the darkness to the light that only He can provide through forgiveness of our sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit in us through our salvation in Jesus.
- A message of hope. “You made it through and so can I!” What a powerful message of hope!! Our stories can provide hope to someone who feels like giving up. Our message of overcoming through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives may be the saving message for someone who is at the end of their rope.
Don’t remain silent. Don’t ever feel like your story…your journey…is not worth sharing. We are all worthy and important to the kingdom of God. We are all part of the same body of Christ. No one is any more or less important. We all work together to advance to message of hope and love that is found in Christ Jesus. Be a vessel of hope! Join Our Circle and share your message of hope on the Gallery of this website.
Prayer: Praise to You, Lord Jesus. Thank You for walking with us on our journeys. Thank You for loving us so much that You lift us up in Your arms when we do not have the strength to take another step on our own. Help us to remember that we are more than our circumstances. We are more than our worst mistake. That our value and worth is in You. You have given us a unique gift. Our message of overcoming our low points in life will be the message of hope to other people who are also suffering. Help us have the courage to open up to others and share our stories. Help us realize that our trials do not diminish our value and worth, but just the opposite! Our trials and mistakes when we travel through them and not give up develop perseverance, character and hope. Our trials allow the power of the Holy Spirit to be revealed which make us a valuable tool in God’s kingdom works. Thank You, Jesus.
Hugs & blessings, Sweet Circle,
Stacy
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