Trial By Fire

     Unfortunately there are times when our circumstances feel completely out of control. No matter which way we turn, there is another obstacle -- another hardship. To make everything worse, one feels as though there will never be a moment of rest. The small gaps in between difficulties feel more like tense waiting, rather than a respite. It's almost like a "bad news/worse news" scenario. I'm the type of person that wants to "hurry-up and get it over with"; so, these periods of waiting are particularly difficult for me.

     Yet, God is with us. Much to our dismay, He may even be the one who put us in the trial (though more often, it is we who put ourselves there.) The thing to keep in mind is the purpose of existence: to bring glory to God. No matter what our circumstances are, we're to bring glory to God. There are other benefits as well: a stronger character, the ability to help others, a better relationship with God...

     For each person the test will be different. Different people will have different areas with which they struggle; therefore, what might be a trial for one may only be an inconvenience for another. An area with which I have trouble is maintaining my relationship with God. I struggle with being consistent in my prayer and devotions -- I'll do it every day for 2 months then not at all for the following month. The way God keeps me on track is to place me in situations that I cannot cope with on my own. Unpleasant for me, but the reward of growing closer to God is unfathomable.

    One of the most difficult parts of trials is this: if you don't learn what God wanted you to learn the first go around, God will send you through a second time. And a third time -- until you become what He wants you to be. I and so many know this from experience. Some of the "valley of the shadow of death" 's that I had to go through were because I didn't listen to God the first time.

     BUT be encouraged. No matter how difficult your life is, and no matter how little rest you receive in this life there is a reward awaiting us in Heaven. Each time
we as Christians go through something difficult -- and bring glory to God through it -- we are granted eternal rewards that will NEVER fade. This life is only temporary -- fleeting -- but God is FOREVER.

Marriage Isn't For You

     Some of my friends told me about this article that's been circulating from the Huff Post. It is ablsolutely brilliant, and I highly reccomment that you read it!

Marriage Isn't For You by Seth Adam Smith

Fall Colors

     I live next to a large hill covered in trees. This is the time of year when the hill become alive with the wonderful colors of fall! Bright reds, golds, vibrant oranges make this hill a marvel to look at.

     This is God's creation. He created these scenes for us to enjoy. It's almost like a good-bye present from summer -- now that warm weather is gone, we need one last show before winter claims the world. It's important for us to take time to enjoy the sight. In spite of our busy schedules, we need to remember God and how magnificent He is. By stopping for just a few moments, we are acknowledging that God is our Lord and Provider -- He is the one who make us and made these beautiful fall leaves, is it not right that we give Him a little of our time?

     Something my family likes to do to remember God's creation is to take a fall drive. If you live in a big city or an area that does not have any trees, go to the library and check out a book on fall photography. My mother used to live in Los Angeles and this was one of her favorite pastimes. If you yourself cannot physically enjoy the spectacular show of fall colors, remember that God made it for you too. By looking at the wonders God has created, a small piece of His magnificence is known.

     For me, music is another way that I understand God. Music is filled with different emotions ranging from joy to sadness, anger to celebration. Knowing that God created music blows my mind every time I think about it. Here is a series of sounds that are not words but carry weight as though they were words. If notes go up it sounds happy. If the notes go down they sound sad. Faster music makes me want to dance. Slower music makes me want to think -- or sometimes sleep ;) But every song is different. Every genera is different. Good lyrics are important too. God made all of it.

     In a quote from Plato, "I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning." After taking a class in music theory I completely agree. Music has everything in it and the fact God created it is wondrous to me.

     Take some time to enjoy fall. Remember that God is master and created everything for our benefit and enjoyment in the confines of His word. Through His law and grace we are set free to enjoy the marvels of music and nature.

Don't Stress

     With the school year in full swing, we are now getting to the time when due-dates, assignments and projects are needing to be finished. Time is running out and stress is running high. If you're anything like me, the week before an assignment is due, you freak-out! I desire so strongly to do my absolute best that I melt down right before I have to turn it in. Much of the time, I feel as though no matter how much effort I put into a project I could have done more.

     However, in these times of distress -- or seeming distress -- my mother tells me her favorite saying.

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

     At first I want do scream, "That doesn't make me feel any better!" but then I realize that she is right. The only way to complete any project is to START and to start by taking ONE step at a time. No matter how large or insurmountable an assignment might seem the first thing to do is get started. Nothing will complete itself, but remember that the best or most that you can do is all you can give.

     One of my favorite quotes is from Mother Teresa, "I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish that He didn’t trust me so much." God will never put you in a situation that is beyond your ability -- we often times put ourselves in situations that we cannot handle, but God never does. If we are positive that we are where God want us to be and we are doing what He wants us to do, the rest is up to Him.

      If you feel like you are drowning in schoolwork remember that there is an end. You can finish. God is with you the whole while. Allow Him to strengthen you and there will be nothing that can stand in your way.

Don't Box Me In

     If there's one thing I love it's personality tests. I absolutely love learning about how I respond to the world and how other people view life. However, there's one thing that my father taught me to remember whenever taking personality tests: The purpose of this test is NOT so that you can go to other people and say, "This is what I am, behave in a way that makes me happy!" but rather to learn what other people are like, so that you can become what they need.

     Please understand this does NOT mean becoming a "people pleaser" (a person who depends on other people's happiness to survive), but it does mean rising above your NATURAL (and possibly SINFUL) behaviors in order to become the best representation of Jesus Christ that you can be. This actually means that -- in many circumstances -- you need to alter your natural behavior into something that is more appropriate.

Example #1

     I am not a "touchy-feely" person. I hate it when people "surprise" me with a hug. I do not like holding hands with my family. I like my space. I feel safe when I have space. If I feel like people are closing in on me or are violating my personal space, I feel like they are a threat and dangerous to my safety. This is my natural tendency.

     However, if I see someone (specifically someone who I know is a "touchy-feely" person) is having a bad day or is going through a hard time, I deliberately move outside my natural tendency and hug them. There are times when I have been counseling girls and I know that the absolute best thing for them would be hugs and gentle pats on the back. I do it. Not because I would want these actions done for me, but I know that I want to be the best example of Jesus Christ I can be. I know it means a lot for the other person, therefore, because I care about the other person, I will deliberately go AGAINST my natural tendency.

     Something that makes me angry is when a person uses their personality as an excuse or as a shield behind which to hide. Few things make me more frustrated when I meet a person like that. In stead of realizing God has given them certain gifts AND the Fall of Man has given us flaws they run around screaming, "don't judge my thoughts or behaviors," "I can't help that I'm like this," "You just have to deal with the way I am." Are these not the most selfish thoughts? How does knowing you are "a certain way" give you an excuse to sin or be discourteous?

Example #2

     I know someone who is an amazing speaker. She is one of those people who can talk to a wall and have a wonderful conversation. She is blessed with always knowing the right thing to say and never having to depend upon others to keep a conversation going. This ability allows her to make newcomers feel welcome. However, if she does not keep her words in check, she becomes a steamroller. She no longer cares about what other people want or need to say because her words are more important. This becomes very damaging to those around her because they feel she does not care about what they have to say. Some refuse to hang around her because she refuses to allow "peace and quiet." Her mouth is in continuous motion.

     What make is sad is that she knows. She is fully aware of her tendencies and her ability to talk everyone else into silence. She also admits that there are instances in which she does not care what anyone else has to say -- her words are of utmost importance. Yet, although she is aware of her flaws, she does nothing to mend them. The flings up her personality type as a shield and refuses to alter her behavior to make others more comfortable.

I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22)

     Your personality is not an excuse. No matter how well you know yourself, it is our obligation as Christians -- as Followers of Christ! -- to rise above our natural flaws. It is our responsibility to do whatever we can to help our brothers and sisters in Christ and to be examples to the unbeliever.

     Someone once said, "You can be right, or you can be happy. Pick one." In the realm of relationships it is crucial to grow beyond yourself, beyond your "personality type" and natural tendencies. Marriages have failed because of refusal to do do. Others have succeeded to great testament of their families.

     Do not let yourself become boxed-in or limited by your "personality".