Persevering in the Midst of Trial

In the midst of trial we may feel under the weather and God doesn't seem to get much praise in hard times, but praise Him we must. God has good works for us all to do and sometimes He uses trials to carve out our character. If this sounds like your life then read on.

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I could simply leave the verse and let the verse do its work on you, but I will add a few thoughts of mine and see if we can open this up a little.

In times of trials we develop perseverance and when perseverance finishes its work we will be mature and complete not lacking anything.

Can you imagine not lacking anything in your personality?

That would be great wouldn't it?

In the midst of trials you might not think you are getting very far with perseverance. But trust this verse, it knows what it is talking about and Jesus' brother was not foolish when he said we should count it as joy.

For the last eighteen months I have what I call a sleep sickness where I can't get out of bed for almost the whole day. It goes on and on day after day and the more I sleep, the more depressed I get and the more depressed the more tired and depressed I get. It has been like a thorn in my side for all this time and I fought it by staying up once a week and writing articles.

I went home for Christmas and my mother after spending 12 days with me said I am the best she has ever known me. For you who don't know me from my articles, I suffer from Bipolar disorder and off my medication I can be quite a handful. I have been in a stage of healing this past year and it seems to have paid off so that at my age of 40 my mother can say I am in the best shape she has ever seen me.

God has been refining me in the midst of my trial. He said in a prophetic word to me recently:

So be patient in affliction my son. You are nearer to your goal than you think.

The New King James rendering of James 1:2-4 uses the word patience not perseverance and so this was the Lord speaking to me about my sleep sickness.

About five months ago I was walking home and the Father said to me:

I am sorry that you have the sleep sickness and We have allowed it in your life. We have it there to develop perseverance in your life

I am so happy that my trial is bearing fruit. Not only to know within myself that I am in a lot better condition then eighteen months ago before this affliction started but for it to be confirmed by my mother saying that I am the best that she has ever seen me.

How are you doing?

Does it help to know that the Lord is using your trial to build patience and perseverance in your life?

How strong do you feel?

When you are down and suffering it is good to know some of the promises in the Bible. One that keeps me going forward is:

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Do you know that God is using ALL things in your life for your good?

Do you know that?

Everything that you go through is going to be used for your good and for his purpose.

I like a God that I can depend on.

In times of trial we can snuggle up to God and draw into his presence and know that He really loves us for who we are. In times of need we can offload our burden to the Lord. The Lord Jesus said his yoke was easy and his burden was light. We can depend on those words.

We are encouraged to give our struggles to Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 (New International Version)

7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Whilst I have been writing I have just been writing from my heart but now Jesus has told me that he wants to speak to those of you who are going through trials so Jesus will speak to you after the words Jesus speaks is written.

Jesus speaks:

My People

I reign on high next to the Father who loves you. Today I come into your home to bring my greetings and to touch some of your lives. I am not a God that is far off, each day I bring the sun up and have the moon come out at night. Each day I see each of you struggle and toil under the hot sun and in the midst of cold winters.

I am a God that was once a flesh human being and one that cares for the suffering of the world. I healed the sick and gave sight to the blind even fed 5000 men and women and children on top of that from a mere few pieces of bread and fish. I am a mighty God and an expert at mending hearts.

I often allow affliction to come into a person's life so they might turn toward me. So many times I call the wayward, and so many times they don't listen to me. My Spirit wills that all people are happy in relationship with me. Right now in parts of the world people that know me are dying of starvation. Do I not love them as I love you?

I ever want to answer your prayers and often want to lead my people in a way that their flesh rebels against. There is a lot of pride in some people and even amongst my people pride exists. This has to be fought against by my Spirit.

Come to me each day and pour your heart out to me. See that I am still a Saviour. If you are mad at me, shout out your anger, let me know your feelings, don't keep them all inside. I know your thoughts and your mind any way. Many people suffer in this world so that when they overcome that they can inspire others to overcome. In your world you might be one of those chosen people who I want to inspire others, have you ever thought of that?

I feed the birds and the lilies of the field are well clothed and my people in the West have so much but want so much more from Me. The people in poor countries see my signs and wonders as sometimes this is all they have. In the West even those that are poor can be well off in comparison to other countries.

I have the answer. The answer is to live by My Spirit. Ask My Spirit to pray for you and ask My Spirit to direct your day. Ask my Spirit to fill you each day and listen to His voice. Live in the Spirit and your life will improve even in the midst of your suffering. Seek Me where I can be found, seek me in the Word and in your quite times. Seek Me, the pearl of great price and I will bring great worth to your life. I am worth all you wealth, I am worth all your riches, I am worth all you health. I am your redeemer and a precious possession. Some of you can know me in a deeper way. Seek that deeper path. Walk with Me and talk to Me. Live with Me and let Me live in you.

Journal your thoughts. Buy yourself a notepad and write out your prayers and thoughts to me and let me speak to your spirit. If you ask Me to speak to you, I will speak to you and in your journal you can record what I say.

I am the Word. The Word is true and there is not one lie in the Bible. By faith many people can be healed of afflictions. I have healers in the West that have My anointing that can heal people, but first people need to have some faith that My Stripes heal them.

I am a forgiving God. If you repent and turn from your sin I can set you free from any sin. I am faithful and loving and wise. I know what I am doing in your life and your life is my possession since you gave your life to me.

Put your chin up, and take your rest in Me. Abide in Me and my teachings and walk in My Word and learn from your trial. Try and learn from each hard day and journal your thoughts.

Love Jesus

Jesus loves us all people. I hope that if you receive His words by faith that they encouraged you.

Let me pray for you:

Father

Lord I ask that you hold this person in your loving arms. As they read this overflow them supernaturally with your peace and let that peace be with them all day. Show them how to abide in Jesus and show them how to walk with you. Speak to them with your Holy Spirit and as many of them buy a journal have your Holy Spirit bring your words to them each day as they write out their prayers for you. Lead them by still waters, lead them into all truth and get them away from the wolves that are teaching false doctrine. Father restore the joy to this believer this week that they had at salvation and if they have more joy now then they had then increase their joy. Bring gladness in the midst of their sorrow and touch them in a powerful way. In Jesus name I ask all of this.

Amen

If you have enjoyed my article you can read the book "The parables of Jesus made simple" for free here in its entirety or just selected parables in chapters at http://www.parables-of-jesus-christ.net/ The book will be published in book form in January 2011