Some Good Reminders in times of Trial and Suffering

We have now been married for almost three months and are slowly getting into OUR ROUTINES. There is something very soothing and reassuring about that, especially in the morning. Since I married more of a morning person, I am in a way "forced" to get up earlier than 20 min before I need to leave for work. :0)

I now enjoy eating breakfast together. Andrew makes me a cup of English Breakfast Tea with milk and sugar every morning and it is the most soothing and delicious thing in the whole entire world. He was right. No better way to start the day than with a hot beverage, especially with tea from a special tea shop in downtown Wheaton. The extra time in the morning also allows me to spend some time in the Word and read from my devotional "Streams in the Desert for Graduates".

March 19ths devotional goes right along with what I have been learning through reading the Psalms with my husband and expresses these lessons in much better words than I ever could. So, I thought I would just copy it so that you can also be encouraged.

Scripture:
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering... But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ."
~(1Peter 4:12-13)

"Many hours of waiting were necessary to enrich David's harp with song. And hours of waiting in the wilderness will provide us with psalms of "thanksgiving and sound of singing" (Isa. 51:3). The hearts of the discouraged here below will be lifted, and joy will be brought to our Father's heavenly home.
What was the preparation for Jesse's son, David, to compose songs unlike any others ever heard before on earth? It was the sinful persecution he endured at the hands of the wicked that brought forth his cries for God's help. Then David's faint hope in God's goodness blossomed into full songs of rejoicing, declaring the Lord's mighty deliverances and multiplied mercies. Every sorrow was yet another note from his harp, and every deliverance another theme of praise.
One stinging sorrow spared would have been one blessing missed and unclaimed. One difficulty or danger escaped - how great would have been our loss! The thrilling psalms where God's people today find expression for their grief or praise might never have been known.
Waiting on God and abiding in His will is to know Him in 'the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings' (Phil.3:10) and 'to be conformed to the likeness of his son' (Rom. 8:29). Therefore if God's desire is to enlarge your capacity for spiritual understanding, do not be frightened by the greater realm of suffering that awaits you. The Lord's capacity for sympathy is greater still, for the breath of the Holy Spirit into His new creation never makes a heart hard and insensitive, but affectionate, tender and true."

~ Anna Shipton

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strenth, that he considered me faithful, appointme me to his service." ~ I Timothy 1:12

It's me talking again: In the last few months, I have been going through some difficult things. There have been days, where I have just been crying out to the Lord to give me joy and contentment. God commands us to be joyful no matter what the circumstances. Since my junior year in high school, I have had this strong desire to be content no matter what the circumstances - just like Paul. There have been moments and days, where all I could feel was pain and I asked a very wise and discerning woman, "Why can't I have joy? I want to have joy even though I'm going through this time of suffering." She said, "Laura, maybe God is just calling you to a time of feeling pain right now..." Since that, I have realized that joy is not something that God necessarily infuses us with. Joy comes from believing God's promises. I can and and need to be joyful and content and I can be those things because if I put my complete trust and hope in the Lord, then I can be joyful because He has promised my deliverance. He has lead me into a valley. He is leading me through the valley. And I have faith that He will in His timing lead me out of that valley.

Here is a beautiful poem that I would like to share with you:

"Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (II Corinthians 6:10)

I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured,
As o'er me rolled a crushing load of woe;
My words, my cries, e'en my low moan was stifled;
I pressed my lips; I barred the teardrop's flow.

I will be still, although I cannot see it,
The love that bares a soul and fans pain's fire;
That takes away the last sweet drop of solace,
Breaks the lone harp string, hides Your precious lyre.

But God is love, so I will stay me, stay me -
We'll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still;
We'll wait till after while, when He will lift us -
Yes, after while, when it will be His will.

And I did listen to my heart's brave promise;
And I did quiver, struggling to be still;
And I didi lift my tearless eyes to Heaven
Repeating ever, "yes, Christ, have Your will."

But soon my heart spoke up from 'neath our burden,
Rebuked my tight-drawn lips, my face so sad:
"We can do more than this, O Soul," it whispered.
"We can be more than still, we can be glad!"

And now my heart and I are sweetly singing -
Singing withoug the sound of tuneful strings;
Drinking abundant waters in the desert;
Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle's wings.

~ S.P.W.

That last line just makes my heart swell and my eyes feel with tears for it is so true.