Troubling Times in Life

Would it be nice if we could control everything in our lives? Well, we don’t, it seems like our trials never seem to end. We all go through trials; I have my trials and I have friends and family going through trials. Our trials vary in length, some trials are for a short period and others seem to never go away. God is allowing adversity in our lives for a purpose.

When we look at the heroes of faith in the bible, they all went through seasons of trials. Abraham and Sarah were in their nineties before they had a child. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness leading the Israelites. Daniel was thrown into a lion's den.

God uses these adversities as a tool for building godly, spiritual character in our lives. He is the Potter that wants to mold and shape us into what He wants us to be. God uses these adversities to teach us to depend on him. God’s ultimate purpose is to conform us into the likeness of Jesus. God develops love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control in us.

There is a lot of uncertainty in our lives right now and it seems like there are a lot of people going through extended trials. This is when we need to keep our focus on God. Remember, God understands what we are going through, and He cares about us.

Pray for wisdom and guidance asking God to lead us through these difficult times.

Lamentations 3:31-33

31 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. 32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. 33 For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.

Message in Chinese

《生命中的艰难时刻》

如果我们能掌控生命中的一切，岂不是很好吗？然而事实并非如此，似乎我们的试炼总是没有尽头。我们每个人都会经历试炼；我有自己的试炼，我的亲朋好友也正在经历各种试炼。试炼的长短各不相同，有些只是短暂的，有些却仿佛永远不会结束。上帝允许逆境进入我们的生命，是有其目的的。

当我们回顾《圣经》中那些信心的英雄时，会发现他们都经历过试炼的时期。亚伯拉罕和撒拉在九十多岁时才得着孩子；摩西带领以色列人在旷野中度过了四十年；但以理被扔进了狮子坑。

上帝使用这些逆境作为工具，在我们的生命中塑造敬虔、属灵的品格。祂是陶匠，渴望塑造并改变我们，使我们成为祂所要我们成为的样式。上帝借着这些逆境教导我们学会依靠祂。上帝最终的目的，是使我们效法耶稣的样式，在我们里面培育爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实和节制。

如今我们的生活充满了不确定性，似乎有许多人正在经历长期的试炼。正是在这个时候，我们更需要把目光定睛在上帝身上。要记得，上帝明白我们所经历的一切，也深深地关怀我们。

祈求智慧与引导，求上帝带领我们度过这些艰难的时刻。

耶利米哀歌 3:31–33

31 因为主必不永远丢弃人；32 他虽使人忧愁，还要照他丰盛不变的慈爱施行怜悯；33 因为他并非甘心使人受苦，  也不乐意使人忧伤。

Troubling Times in Life