The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling . . .” ( Psalm 91:1,10 )— the place where you are at one with God.

If you are a child of God, you will certainly encounter adversities, but Jesus says you should not be surprised when they come. “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” He is saying, “There is nothing for you to fear.” The same people who refused to talk about their adversities before they were saved often complain and worry after being born again because they have the wrong idea of what it means to live the life of a saint.

God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength. Overcome your own timidity and take the first step. Then God will give you nourishment— “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life . . .” (Revelation 2:7 ). If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment. Our temptation is to face adversities from the standpoint of our own common sense. But a saint can “be of good cheer” even when seemingly defeated by adversities, because victory is absurdly impossible to everyone, except God.

Journal Entry for today-JDV

August 2, 2010

When I look at my circumstances I am often overwhelmed and concerned. I fight through the anxiety and fear and realize I simply  need to trust God and allow Jesus to live through me. But try as I might, I still hold onto the fear and concern, all the while praying for God to take those fears and concerns from me. ..But then he shows me that He does not take them from me, He simply provides the courage to live through them.

In fact I now see that He does not provide me the courage, He is the courage and peace. I simply need to allow Him to live through me, all the while providing the courage and peace needed.

My pain and confusion are not gone….but the faith and trust Jesus provides overcomes the fear, confusion, and pain. Once I take His yoke, mine is gone.

And God says…” You will face trials and troubles in this world. Accept this. And accept the fact that I will always meet you at the very point of your need. Wherever you are, in trials and difficult times, look for me. For that is where we meet most often….at the point of your trials.

I will never leave or forsake you. I am your God. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight.

DJR Journal

Thank you Lord for all the good things and the times that I remember them and to be thankful.   I am amazed at your grace, and thankful for it.    My brother and I have different pains.   We see that our growth needs are different.    I am grateful for your blessings and grace.    Many things are just “no problem” for me.    But of course that leaves the ones that are.   Specifically the chronic ones that dont seem to change after 40 years of struggle.  What’s the best thing for me to do?

You could read about the heroes of the faith.   That’s the reason I put them in the book.   None of them had perfect lives, as you would define perfect.   Many had life long trials and seemingly untimely ends or certainly what the health, wealth and prosperity bunch would expect.     But I loved them and worked with them and they with me and now they are with me perfectly.    See how perfectly you can walk with me on your side of eternity.   It will bring your problems into context.   And they are more likely solved when you hold them that way than when you fret over them.

Good advice,   thanks.