FOR YOUR GOOD
Most of us tend to travel down the path of least resistance. Not many will do something that brings discomfort, especially if there are no benefits associated with it. Think about this; many are eager to pay to go to a gym and even hire a specialized trainer that will make them go through pain — even on a daily basis. Wow! Go Figure! Why do they do it? They do it because of what they believe it will produce. What someone is willing to pay is based upon perceived value or what they think it is worth.
God is the greatest trainer of all time! But some get mad at God when he puts them through the weight room of life to cause them to enter into heaven’s abundant life and spiritual fitness.
Just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you for your own good. Deut 8:5 (NLT)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Do you not know that in a race, all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Take a look at apostle Peter’s perspective of trials.
1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV) In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Your loving Heavenly Father is the best trainer ever! He knows what’s best for you and works in you both to will and act according to his good pleasure! Phil 2:13 When you’re going through challenging trials of life, remember that God is your trainer and knows how to increase you in the very best possible way. Always know that God is right there with you, and greater faith and all it can produce will be the result of your trials! It is so important to trust that he, as God, is able to do above and beyond all you could ask or think! Eph 3:20 God will never let you go through more than you can bear and always creates a way of escape so that you will survive. 1Cor 10:13
Are you willing to let go and trust God completely today? You can know for sure, if he has allowed it, it is…
FOR YOUR GOOD!