Why Lord, am I going through?

Once, while studying the Book of Job, I was going through a week that was tough for me personally, professionally, and spiritually. My body was attacked, my family was attacked with injuries and sicknesses, it was a busy week for me at the school where I taught, and a friend and co-laborer in the ministry passed away. It was a lot to handle at one time. I felt overwhelmed, and exasperated. 

In asking God through prayer to shed some light on this chaotic time, He taught me this through Job. Job was tested, tried, and trusted because he was a good man, and God's servant. God knew that Job could pass the tests thrown his way.. Tests, oh by the way, that God allowed to be thrown his way. Think about that. Job did not go through everything that he went through because he was a bad man, or that he had sinned. It was quite the opposite. The bible says that Job was blameless and upright. In other words, he had done nothing wrong at all.

It's that way with us as well. God allows Satan to test us, to temp us, to cause some turmoil in our lives... not as punishment, and not because of our faults and flaws. Now you might be thinking, "why would God allow this?"

We have to try to see things from God's perspective. There was a purpose in the pain. A purpose that was bigger than the person. These tests were not allowed to prove a point to Satan. It was so that thousands of years later I (you) could reflect on a rough week and see that it fails to compare to the day that Job had. It happened so that Job's neighbors one town over, his friends who thought that he had sinned against God, so that his wife who told him to curse God and die- so that they, and we would be blessed by his making it through all that he endured with his testimony in tact. 

It's the same with us. People see us (you) going through a tough time, and our reaction makes an impact on their lives. Our response shows them our faith, and our God. They know that we are Christian, and yes they are watching. 

So how should we respond? Should we pity ourselves? Should we allow the pain to fester and infect our way of thinking, our mood, and disposition? No! When Job received all of that bad news, the loss of his riches, the loss of his income, the loss of his possessions, the loss respect from his friends, the faith of his wife, and the loss of his children- guess what he did? The bible says (Job 1:20) that He fell down and worshipped God! My Goodness, what an awesome response to hardship. That's our example. Worshipping God in spite of the hurt, pain, and position in which we find ourselves.
When we experience a time that seems to be overwhelming, chaotic, and hurtful.. we should Worship! 
So, how do you respond? Will your hardship produce worship? 

I love you, and I am praying for you...
Pastor Erroyl
~SALT

Benefit in Suffering?

Suffering can make you feel like a prisoner. Dealing with painful situations to the point where we would deem the situation to be suffering can be absolutely oppressive.

Maybe a perspective shift is in order. When you suffer, what does it produce in you? What do YOU get from it? Do you wallow in suffering, do you allow it to make your spirits fall? Do you question God with a , "why me"? Do you become bitter, hateful, or self-loathing? 

"...glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame,... " Romans 5:3-5

The Bible teaches us here that there are positive attributes to suffering. If, we are able to change our perspectives to see the big picture. And by big, I mean God-sized! Perseverance, character, and hope. Going through, or living in a sufferable circumstance and seeing things from His perspective produces Perseverance, Character, and Hope.
Understand that God may have you in a particular place, and position for any number of reasons. One such reason is to learn.
Here's a good list to think about when faced with adversity. Don't be too fast to:

1.  Blame the devil, 
2.  Stay, 
3.  or Go... 

We give too much credit to the devil, the enemy. I find that God's name(s) is mentioned far more times than Satan's in the Bible. That proportion should be reflected in our lives as well. Regardless of the situation, we should look for God in it first1 Seek God while in the hardship, and you just might see Him working things to your good. Give God glory for trusting you enough to go through the hardship. Satan can do nothing without permission from God. So stop giving the enemy credit, and give God praise!

Regardless of what it looks like to others, if God has you planted in a painful situation- you stay planted. The pain might be coming from finances, from people, from your job, living situation, or from a relationship. Ask God to show you the benefit in the suffering. Ask Him why you are in the situation, what should you learn from the pain. Stay Planted!

Likewise, regardless of what it looks like to others, -if God says go, you go. Many times we like to get comfortable in a place even after our mission there is completed. (God says go here, build a bridge. After the bridge is up, you start working on a toll both for it, then a neighboring community center). When God says go, go. We may have caused the suffering ourselves by staying too long. if God says go, you go

Allow God's work in you to be matured through whatever process He chooses; wherever He might have you. It might be suffering, it might be a storm, or wilderness experience... Pray, listen, and be wise enough to know when it's time make camp, and when it's time to break camp. Suffering in a situation- be it physical pain, emotional strife, or situational turmoil is probably God's prescription for you. The wisdom to know will come from God. It might be from a blog, a FB posting, in a conversation, reading the Bible, or a sermon, but look for His voice in it... His purpose for you, and His plan for you in the situation.

I love you, and I am praying for you,
Pastor Erroyl
~SALT