God doesn’t require us to be successful; He commands us to be faithful.
Things don't just happen. Those things you may call "accidents," "surprises," or "discoveries" are actually revelations of God's love and constant concern for you. If you keep your faith and trust in God, the meaning of these things will be become clear. If you greet each new day and expect it to reveal the glory, power, and love of God, your hours will be filled with joy and awe. His mystery will lead you toward Him. Is any problem too hard for Him? No. Can He use every circumstances for your good and His glory? Yes.
It is infinitely harder to be a faithful servant than a successful one. Why? Because it is much easier to move forward when we SEE results. Success is judged by the results; Faith is judged by obedience. "We live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7
Success is easy to measure...that’s why we like it so much! It assigns significance and establishes hierarchy. And that’s exactly why God doesn’t demand it. God doesn’t measure our worth or value based on what we do or achieve. He saves us by His grace alone.
Everything changes when you set your focus on God. You filter every situation through the knowledge you have of Him. When your life is committed to Jesus Christ, you have nothing to fear. Though you face disappointment and hardship, the one thing that never changes is God's love for you. Difficulty comes but you can be certain that He will never fail you or leave you!
Our suffering means something. God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our commitment to Him, force us to depend on His grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in times of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character. It is a beautiful image! And it's an image like no other. When Christ is unveiled in us, it's a unique sculpture.
Because nothing is impossible for God, every challenge you encounter is just another opportunity to see His might work in your life -- building your confidence in Him.
If I love God, suffering does not ultimately matter. Christ in me is what matters. Pain does not cease to be pain, but I can "rejoice in suffering" (Romans 5:5) because the power of God in my life is greater than suffering's vice-grip can ever be. I want to see the sculpture complete, lacking nothing.
Blessings,
Dalinda
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