Only As Long

Only As Long 

by David Brenneman 

Many times we have been through much in life in our 24 plus years of marriage.  But in each rough and low point, whether or not I recognized it, I was actually going with some of Dr. Stanley's Life Principles.  One of which is where the title comes from.  Adversity will only last as long as is necessary to achieve the will of God for you. Another has to do with continuing in doing the last things that the Spirit is having me do.

I know that in regards to much in life God's gifted me with abilities to troubleshoot problems.  It's also been a lesson along the way that I need to not over think and to turn over those issues to My Savior to handle that are tying me in knots. 

I often don't know what's over the next hill or how deep the next valley is going to be.  Or how visible things  are or how dark the darkness will be during those times. 

I know enough at my age now to keep hand firmly in Jesus's.  He's never wanting me to sit down in those dark valley's and giving up.

I was also having a conversation last night with my brother.  Things that could be invented that would change so much in our lives or the lives of others.

An interesting take on that is this:  Nothing is going to be permitted to be created that will disrupt the plans of God for you and I.  In shared with my brother that certainly I have some really good ideas...but I will not see them come to fruition.  Interestingly enough Jesus has told me that while yes they would work I will not be making them.  

Our life's trials in the life of a Believer are not at all here to punish any.  While the stress, the anxiety, the tears may flow, Jesus isn't up in Heaven with His thumb on us grinding us down.  He says that He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.   He says that eye has not seen nor ear has heard all that God has prepared for those who are called according to His purpose.

Our perception of life isn't going to be right.   We see a single point of view.  God sees every single person's point of view as well as every single possibility from every single thought and decision. His response was so that Hagar referred to Him as the God who sees.

Why does He allow such sufferings to last in the life of a Believer?  My Dear Reader...the life of a Believer is NOT to be all sunshine and rainbows.  It's to be work.  It is to be a life transformation from what a filthy sin cursed person was into the washed, sinless, Son of God's righteousness life is to be.  It's a long process.  We are to not lean on our own understanding. We are not to waste our time pouring all our resources into finding out all the why's. 

I still, daily, have to let go of my problems and yet again put them back into the hands of God. 

I don't have a clue as to how He's going to work things out.  I just know that I need to do whatever He puts in front of me to be doing. 

I am not to hold onto my situations.

You aren't to either. 

Trust God and obey God, even if it makes no sense, and leave the consequences to Him. 

‭‭"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;" Romans 8:28-29.

There's the endgame. There's the objective in all the good and bad that you and I go through. 

"but just as it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the human heart, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”" 1 Corinthians 2:9.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6.

If you have been reading these posts for any length of time you find these verses repeated.  When God repeated something to His chosen people, Israel, He wanted them to pay close attention. 

Same goes for us today. 

Jesus has never abandoned any who have called upon Him to be saved.  We are the ones who are prone to quitting or giving up when He’s trying to get us to keep moving. 

Our sins are cast as far as the east is from the west...He remembers them no more.  So we are never getting punished for forgiven sins.

We may not always escape the consequences of sins committed but we are guaranteed to be forgiven. 

Your life and mine are to be lived in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.  All the good and all the bad that we experience.  Paul listed a litany of things he survived, lived through, and yet still lived for Jesus. 

Our personal happiness is not a high priority.  Our becoming like Jesus is.  An undisturbed football game isn't a high priority to God.  Listening to the voice of the Spirit of God is. An uninterrupted movie isn't a high priority to God.  You obeying Him is. You understanding why life isn't going to your plans...is not a high priority to God.   You trusting and obeying God is. When it makes sense and when it doesn't. 

Hardships for many end when they step into eternity.  Some it doesn't. 

Realize that God cannot love you any more than He does.  He loves you with a perfect love.  He can never love you less...ever.  His perfect love endures forever. 

Trust God and keep moving forward. Listen to the Spirit and keep moving forward. Rest when He says to rest. Move when He says it's time.  

Know that He always has His eyes on you.  Know that He's really working all things together for good for you.  Good on His terms, by His definition.  It may make no sense at all.  Trust and Obey for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.