Recently I had a conversation with someone who spoke of health challenges she is facing. By God’s grace, she is a survivor of two encounters with Covid-19. Although she is fully vaccinated now, she has some long-term effects from her prior Covid -19 illnesses. As a result, she may be what is called a long hauler. As we talked, I reminded her that her health might not be what she desires; yet she is still standing. Life today throws us more challenges than ever, but the key is our reaction to them. Will we allow them to be stumbling blocks in our life or remove our focus from God? Or will we fully trust Him and say, “But none of these..!”
Many situations in our life can shake us to our very core. I’ve had a few. What about you? Most of them involve our relationships with others, be it family, friends, colleagues, spouses, or significant others. It can be tough to think rationale or even remember the promises of God whenever life turns us upside down and all around. However, the Bible reminds us not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial to try us, as though some strange thing is happening to us. Oh, if we could only remember these words when we are suffering and going through. “But none of these…!”
To be sure, the pandemic took the icing right off the cake and left us at times with seemingly little sweetness or hope, but the God we serve is bigger than any sickness, loss, heartache, or pain. In Acts 20, Paul reminds us very clearly that bonds and afflictions will abide. But, those things did not deter him from doing the will of God. He did not count his life as dear unto himself. Otherwise, he could not finish his course with joy. Wow! Do we have the mindset of Paul? Do we look beyond our needs and see the will of God in our life. If not, we should. Whatever may be troubling you at present, can you boldly say before the Lord, “But none of these…!”
Today, my dear sisters, I encourage each of us to value more the will and works of God than our own lives. If we do and seek God and His righteousness first and foremost, He will add everything else unto us to fulfill our joy. Let us declare that none of life’s ups and downs, calamities, heartbreaks, pain, or suffering shall move us to the point that we don’t fully trust God for all things, no matter how challenging. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24. I’ll be back next week with a new post, “Family Love!”
Be encouraged, and God bless!
Sister Jackie
Amen and Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading the post. God bless you abundantly!
Amen and Very well stated! And understandably it is challenging for her, your friend that has residual effects from COVID-19. Also I know for myself, that when we are going through hard trials, that we can feel “the burn” of the fiery trials. But good, wise “encouragement” is needed then, more than ever, to help bring us through.
I too, like some others, strive daily that “none of these” things, these seemingly overwhelming strange fiery trials, cause me to lose hope or focus on our ONE True NEVER-failing Help that comes from God above alone – Our Blessed Hope. Because truly, for some, many of the trials we face are HEAVY fiery challenges, whatever they may be. But, I especially Thank our God for carrying “me”, “us”, through the “strange” fiery trials, that so often happen “suddenly”. For, as you stated, I also agree, that in taking on a “mindset” like Paul, being FULLY persuaded in the Grace of God for us all, our God reminds us that His GRACE is truly, MORE than sufficient for us, in ANY situation. And if our Faithful Loving God doesn’t move the trial from us, He will surely, safely move us through the trial. Thank You God!
Praying that we remember to encourage one another, and for your friend for a complete healing and a special blessing, in Jesus name!
Thank you again for sharing these powerful words of encouragement! God bless and keep you Sis!
Nicely stated! Thank you for those encouraging words. I like, “And if our Faithful Loving God doesn’t move the trial from us, He will surely, safely move us through the trial.” We must not ever forget this! God bless you, my sister, and I pray that Heavenly rich blessings surround you!