Kids fight back my words of instruction. I get anxious.
The car won’t start. I get anxious.
Relational conflict brews. I get anxious.
The day looks difficult ahead. I get anxious.
It looks like I am going to be late. I get anxious.
The schedule appears too much to manage. I get anxious.
Traffic sits. I get anxious.
Temper tantrums of toddlers ensue. I get anxious.
An unexpected bill arrives. I get anxious.
Home issues pop up. I get anxious.
Do you ever feel like me? So busy preparing for tsunami problems that your heart is unprepared for the small ruptures?
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Ps. 139:23)
God is testing me to know my anxious thoughts.
I can’t help but wonder, when he does, if he likes –
not my biblical, spiritual and theological heart –
but my moment-by-moment heart?
And why such a clean one want to see such anxious filth?
After much time treading through the waters of wonder, I arrived at these points:
God tests us, because he wants to bless us.
He wants to know us, because he loves us.
He still thinks of us, in precious terms, even if he knows our most ugly terms (Ps. 139:17).
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Ja. 1:2-4
He gives us baby tests, to applaud our baby steps of trust.
He sends us exams, in hopes that we walk across his graduation stage of peace.
He prepares us, because he truly is preparing us.
He is not trying to wear us, because he doesn’t care for us.
But loving us, because he wants love – in us.
Don’t doubt that your trials are building triumph!
Trials are higher education learning opportunities that build the brain power of perseverance and endurance that deliver us to the grade of “complete” in Christ Jesus.
Why would I run from these opportunities? Why would I fear the establishment that is meant to establish me?
Shouldn’t I be looking at trials not as crying grounds, but as blessing grounds? Not as fearing rooms, but as giving rooms? Not in doubt, but in faith – of the mighty work that God is about to do in me?
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Ja. 1:12
So, may we descend on “scary” like falcons,
driving into them at speeds of 200 miles per hour,
not tremoring, but trusting,
not resisting, but persisting,
not fighting, but flying.
Soaring high above the worldly,
beyond the grime of life,
on the horizon of God’s great opportunity.
To see the glory of his test,
giving permission for him to be our rest.
And suddenly, a great shift persists,
for on our plains we must see a new way,
from spiritual eyes – and not earthly,
from godly plains and not normal.
And we do.
We go with God.
We go to beauty, peace and power –
to heights unseen
and places unknown,
and lands untraversed,
in the completion of his will,
in the fullness of his grace,
in the lightness of his wind.
We find ourselves powerful not our powerless,
trusting the sacred – in the sticks of the mess –
for here, it’s the place, the power place – and the resting place – all the same,
the place where God weaves holiness into the very fabric of our being.
We rest down and continue to fly on his triumphant ways.
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Kelly, I just reread over James 1:12 and I never really thought of endurance as being a perfect work, but it is. Endurance is perfect in refining and shaping our character so that we may reflect the image of God. Yes God does test us, but He is preparing us for something greater. Thanks for the post. Glad to link up with you today.
Hi Kia, it is amazing how much he loves us even in the meaningless, isn’t it? We are so blessed.
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It always amazes me to think of how the God of the entire universe wants to bless ME. Yes, me – the person who makes mistakes and gets anxious and forgets to trust. What unbelievable love! Thanks for the uplifting thought today, Kelly:)
He loves us so much; it is amazing!
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Thanks so much for these words of encouragement today, Kelly. I can so relate letting trials create anxiety in my heart. Thanks for presenting us the flip side, the positive side to our trials: a higher education opportunity to build perseverance and faith. Let’s keep growing!
Thank you Betsy. Flip it and then stomp on it. Ha!
Psalm 139 has always spoken to me and when I saw you included verse 23 about searching and knowing our hearts, I realized I need to get back into that Psalm to teach and lead me in my own life.
These words that you wrote today spoke to me…Trials are higher education learning opportunities that build the brain power of perseverance and endurance that deliver us to the grade of “complete” in Christ Jesus. Amen! God sends the trials but then walks us through one baby step at a time. We need to remember to turn to Him and trust Him to pull us through. Thank you for these words and for remaining faithful to God. Blessings!
Loe that Psalm. Let’s keep turning towards the one who always takes care of us.
Love that scripture, Test me, Lord. Know my anxious thoughts. And wow! I could put myself in every one of those anxious situations you noted, Kelly. Listing them was quite impactful…and made the anxiety seem less powerful. Great way to start the day, my friend. Thank you.
Let’s walk in all peace, for Christ has already handed that to us.
The place where God weaves holiness into our being. Yes! Beautiful Kelly. Thanks for hosting and cheering us all on.
Love you Susan.
Kelly I love this: “Trials are higher education learning opportunities that build the brain power of perseverance and endurance that deliver us to the grade of “complete” in Christ Jesus.” Looking at trials as opportunities provides a heart shift to appreciation instead of discouragement!
Thank you God, for how you love us.
So many great nuggets of wisdom here, Kelly! But I love that trials are higher education learning opportunities. We must make a choice to believe the Word of God, and not listen to the anxieties of our hearts. Great post!
Thank you Mary. They are. Much love to you, dear friend.
Kelly, what a beautiful perspective on trials. I loved this image: “He sends us exams, in hopes that we walk across his graduation stage of peace.” How true that He wants us to walk well with Him, trusting Him, learning how to walk in His peace. And how do we learn? With tests, like you mention. You’ve given me good food for thought today. Thank you!
Bless us God through enduring through your trials, so we can walk proud!
Yes! I absolutely rupture over small problems preparing for the tsunami. Before I know it, it’s 5pm. I’m trying to cook dinner, the news is full of grim outlooks, my boys are wrestling all over the house, and I’m about to snap.
The days that I keep my eyes focused on Him are the very best. Peace beyond all understanding is an understatement. Awesome blog today Kelly. Thank you!
I so know what you are talking about Meg. May we guard up in his ways.
Lovely post, Kelly. “…Permission for Him to be our rest…” <3 Amen. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Yes. Let’s rest deep down into him.
Kelly, there is so much meat from which to eat here. No, it is hardly milk! Your words have touched my at a deeper place and one which needs touching! Praise God.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Praise God. I pray God grows those seeds into beauty.
“Just breathe.” Those are words that I’ve been known to speak in those moments with the current is rising and the test is coming. It’s kind of amazing what taking a moment to inhale can do for our perspective. It gives our mind a second to catch up with our heart and for me it’s like Jesus shaking my shoulders and telling me He is still working, even though things look a mess. Thanks for your encouragement, Kelly.
Love that. Just breathe…
Great message and verse. Thank you for the encouragement today and for hosting. Blessings 🙂
Let’s press on in his love.
Higher education learning opportunties! Indeed. 🙂
Thanks for these words of encouragement today, Kelly. Hugs
Thank you Lyli for your encouragement.
Kelly,
Thank you for sharing your gift of faith with us…love the reminder that testing can lead to triumph in God 🙂 Blessings to you 🙂
God is good all the time.
What comfort this brings, “He still thinks of us, in precious terms, even if he knows our most ugly terms (Ps. 139:17).”
So true Katie. Thankful for His mercy and for seeing past my shallow thoughts.
xoxo Christy
Thank you Katie.
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