So a few posts ago, I said how I'm kinda going through a crappy season. I went to Barnes & Noble last night and started to read When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. I currently own When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God - and Joy by John Piper in which the book began as the final chapter for WIDDG. Reading just the intro and first chapter of WIDDG really made me do a self-examination upon myself and realized that I'm guilty of the "Christian Hedonism" as Piper mentions. What this means, is that through our blossoming seasons in life is when we give most glory to God, and through our withering seasons, we do the opposite. We tend to shun God out and become so prideful as to look only upon ourselves and let the negativity of our lives liberate us.
"Only God can make the depraved heart desire God" - John Piper
It's so true. God is the only one capable of changing our hearts, yet we have to first seek Him in order for that to happen.
I can tell you, being broke, moving to a new house, having constant body aches/health issues from an unknown cause (I feel it right now :/), being in the midst of family quarrels, and trying to find legitimate sources to possibly pay off a $100,000 tuition for art school while being the only believer in my family (and extended family) - ALL IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON :( ... is not easy. No matter what the circumstance may be, no trial is ever easy or else it isn't really considered a trial.
"Faith in God includes faith in His timing." - Neal A. Maxwell
To tie it all together, it all concludes to being patient for God and submitting to Him at all circumstances. I always quote JAMES 1:2-4, but that's because I know it needs to be heard; SO I'LL DO ROMANS INSTEAD!:
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us"
- ROMANS 5:3-5
If you know you love God and you're going through a hard time, glorify Him in all you do. Even if you don't 'feel' like it, CRUCIFY YOUR EMOTIONS. It's either you KNOW God or NO God. And if you truly KNOW God, you should also know to not place your own selfish flesh and blood above Christ's blood - the LOVE that was spilt for YOU. Without trial and suffering in this world, in what ways can we learn to trust God? We live in God's perfect world, but it is US who are imperfect and corrupted. We must FIGHT for JOY - we must fight for what God has to offer us in our lifetimes - and even beyond that.
No matter what you're going through. Surrender wholeheartedly to Him and be patient...
"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit."- PSALM 147:3-5
God knows exactly when the right timing is because HE'S THAT HUUUGEE! HE KNOWS HOW MANY STARS THERE ARE! That's freakin' ginormous. And to add onto that;
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
- ROMANS 8:28
In other words, Hillsong United said it well, "You make all things work together for our good." To conclude - I guess you can say that through all the crap in a sack that I carry on my back, I know I'm not alone because God is and always will continue to support me as long as I keep the faith in Him. No matter how much scripture I quote, it's all the same resolution; View your burdens as blessings, because in the long run, that is exactly what they will be.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."- PROVERBS 3:5-6
