Hardship.

 

Galatians 6:1-3 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. 

One of my favorite blogs I have written in the past two years was about "When God Says No." I particularly  enjoyed writing about it because I think we have a misunderstanding about God's presence and promises that are being sent from pulpits that God's only answer for thing is Yes and Amen, that you should have a Mercedes, and that following Christ means doors are always opened for you..


If that is you. Well you are missing the wholeness of the Gospel. We are called to be close to God and in his presence sin cannot stay. I am not against wealth and riches, but against when we stand in the pulpit and make the focus of anything we do and everything we do about "prospering".  We can throw around scriptures. " Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly." Yes. Yes he did, but he also talked about really tough things, like our thought life. "For if you look upon a woman and lust after her, you have committed adultery and should pluck out his own eye." So last I check there are not a great deal of people running around blind or at least looking like pirates, unless it is Halloween.  I am not condemning, but if we want to uncover God's promise for our lives then we have to not be afraid when he disciplines us.  That is never fun right?  

Hardships often test where we are in order to get where we are going. You will not have a test free life. Choosing your attitude and how you react to diversity will be the measure of which God responds to your next step.

James 5:16

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working
So start by knowing that you are going have ups and downs. Sorry Osteen, following Christ is worth it, but not easy, even he said that. 

Prayer:

God, I confess to you that I fall short daily. I sin both knowingly and unknowingly. Christ have mercy. Jesus have mercy. I ask for the power of your Holy Spirit to fill me that I can live for you and not in my weakness.Cover me now. Christ have mercy. Jesus have mercy.  Let your love guide me.

Amen