Comments
Old Dude
on 01/13/2023 at 01:36 AM
Here's a tidbit from my Billy Graham devo today I might be of some encouragement.
Tell me why the gardener trims and prunes his rosebushes, sometimes cutting away productive branches, and I will tell you why God’s people are afflicted. God’s hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good.
Bobby
on 01/13/2023 at 12:28 AM
I need to work on being a better example
Kevin Miller
on 01/12/2023 at 07:08 PM
God only allows what will be good for us in the long term. God called Job a faithful servant and he ended up losing everything including his kids. Job remained faithful even though he didn’t deserve what he got. Of course we wouldn’t be talking about him today if his great faith if he didn’t lose everything and remain faithful. Let’s remain faithful no matter what.
Omar A.
on 01/12/2023 at 05:34 PM
God doesn’t bring pain and grief but He does allow it to teach us and mold us. As we rely on Him when we go through difficult times when we look back we’ll see that He used it to bring good out of it. Romans 8:28. Life is lived forward but understood backwards. God bless you brothers!
Ashley Jarvis
on 01/12/2023 at 05:17 PM
We live in the time of the new covenant. I do not believe God puts on us bad times, we do, and the world around us do. Jesus never claimed God would punish us, rather He would be there to help us thru. We punish ourselves, and those around us. God has no need to do that for us. When we open our eyes to the truth that God saves, satan lies and destroys, we finally know where blame lies… in the devil around us and within ourselves. It’s why we must bathe in His word daily, and wash ourselves clean.
Delray
on 01/12/2023 at 05:14 PM
"teach me how to suffer Lord". I struggled greatly when storms arose. By acknowledging that the Lord is perfect, as is his will, it challenged me to have a Christ like mindset. To try to see things from His perspective. By knowing that God is not wrong and I am, God cleared the unnecessary grief and anger my flesh would shout. That burden relieving power is so freeing. Blessed are you Lord.
Tommy Williamson
on 01/12/2023 at 04:42 PM
Over the years it has sometimes seemed like the grief that I have endured far exceeded the joy that I have experienced. As I have gotten older and learned more I have found that the times of grief many times were extended much longer than they needed to be because I clung onto the misery like it was a friend. Well misery is not a friend and I’ve had to learn not to even except it into my life. God may let us go through some tough times but He is always there for us. Let us all learn from the tough times, growing from the lessons that they teach and rejoice in the fact that God is aways there and loving us.
Ladd Paulson
on 01/12/2023 at 04:28 PM
Michael and Tim both very well said guys. I believe if you are just trucking along doing norm and not suffering at all there is a reason. When we do God's work satan (lower case intentionally) is mad. He does everything to stop us and puts trouble in our lives until we do. I would certainly rather have him unhappy with me than God.
Argyle
on 01/12/2023 at 03:19 PM
We must also consider Job. Sometimes, God may choose us to endure a “moment” of grief/sorrow for the glory of His name. As mere men it may be hard to fathom, but this is also true. Job’s three friends believed Job’s sudden sorrow was a direct result of something he did, when in actuality, God told the wicked one, “ have you considered my servant Job?” The wicked one stated, “Job only serves you because what you have given.” God said told the wicked that for a moment he could do as he pleased but he couldn’t take Jobs life which included his wife, for the two are one flesh.
Ashley Jarvis
on 01/12/2023 at 02:58 PM
My times of grief separated me from God as far as the East is from the West, so long as I was blaming and turning my back to God FROM IT rather than turning towards God for comfort THRU IT. My experience with sudden massive grief nearly had me taking my own life a few years ago, if not for Gods intervention through actions of others preventing me, buying me just enough moments for His truth to pierce that black cloud that swooped in and suffocated me. What emerged from that terrible experience and worst pain of my life, was a version of me that the old me would not even recognize. I’ve experienced grief a number of times now since that, and each time with growing clarity, I see how turning toward God for comfort thru it, helps me emerge with growing gratitude for that person and their impact in my life for good, releases any blemishes of our time together in this world, and also amplifies my love and appreciation for those who are still in my life today. I now see, how all of my dark times and griefs, as well as all those I can honestly say I welcome in the future, are a part of truly living, loving, and understanding what it truly feels like to be loved. Without grief, we can not experience love 🙏🏻
Matthew Brown
on 01/12/2023 at 02:37 PM
My whole life I never had much for financial wisdom and when I got saved I started to see God blessing me financially in miraculous ways. Well when you don’t have wisdom and you get money you just spend more and pretty soon I found myself in a terrible financial mess. My first reaction was to get angry at God for not continuing to provide what I needed but slowly over time He started to teach me financial wisdom and little by little helped me to work my way out of the financial mess. That is just one area that I made poor decisions and then shook my fist at God. I’m so grateful for His mercy and grace because without Him I would just destroy myself
oregondude
on 01/12/2023 at 02:17 PM
Wow just what I needed to hear. So amazing to see what God is doing through the storm
Tim Debronsky
on 01/12/2023 at 02:12 PM
Very well said Michael. Amen. Daniel I feel like God is a good father. He brings us grief because that is how we learn to trust and rely on him. He gives us free will to make our own choices. When we make mistakes we need to learn from them and turn away from those mistakes. He is molding each one of us into his unique design for his Kingdom. God I pray you continue to create your masterpiece in each one of us.
Brandon Pembleton
on 01/12/2023 at 02:01 PM
The last few months of last year were pretty tough. My daughter had some struggles that continue still. My career was on shaking grounds due to restructuring. And my father's health was not good. I kept my eye on God through it all. I gre very weary though and didn't realize it until a couple of weeks ago I was trying to control the outcome of everything. No wonder I was so dang tired for those months!! I realized I wasn't surrendering to God's will. My prayers changed from give me strength to give me acceptance and freedom from worrying about things that are out of my hands anyways. Help me God to just worry about doing my piece in everyday. Help me to get back on track in remembering this and more importantly living this. It didn't take long once my prayer changed that I noticed myself feeling happy at work again (I hadn't in awhile due to being resentful of the restructuring) and I noticed the anxiety I was dealing with had shrunken way down (notice it's the anxiety never my anxiety - I don't want ownership and anxiety as part of me in my thoughts) I feel restored again simply by praying for acceptance of God's will in all things and remember no matter what happens God will truly take care of us who follow Him even if we don't understand at first. God bless you today my fellas!!!!
Boyce Moses
on 01/12/2023 at 01:50 PM
Many times if we have grief, it is because we have done something stupid. God is still with us to help us up and give us grace. He sees all, so don’t make a lame excuse, just accept His grace. Love you Jesus! 🤍💙🧡❤️
Daniel
on 01/12/2023 at 01:40 PM
"Though he brings grief"
I don't understand why God would bring grief
John Beales
on 01/12/2023 at 01:17 PM
Yes and amen to this! God bless
joe meyers
on 01/12/2023 at 01:02 PM
Micheal, I could not have said it better. Thank you! So thankful for our Heavenly Father and our Savior.
Weston W
on 01/12/2023 at 12:50 PM
Amen
Leonard
on 01/12/2023 at 12:28 PM
Well said @Micheal!
michael f vinning
on 01/12/2023 at 12:19 PM
Blaming God is one thing that I was pretty good at bc I figured if he was in total control then if it went wrong it was his doing. I’d like to say that I’ve matured out of this, but the truth is I need reminding. Reminding that we live in a fallen world, that I do some dumb stuff and that we have an enemy who very much is out to get us/me…my wife and my kids! And if it wasn’t for God’s love, favor, and mercy-I would have long since been toast!! Forgive me Father
12/365: Trouble Doesn't Last Forever
For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. ~ Lamentations 3: 31-33
Rainy days will come and go. In the midst of our trouble, it may seem as if God is being harsh. Rest assured, God isn't harsh, but consistent with His truth - because He loves us.
If you are on a long-dark road today, remember that God does not willingly bring pain and grief. Sometimes we bring the pain due to some pretty lousy choices on our part.
So don't blame God for being consistent with His truth. Pray to receive His truth.
GO DEEPER: Hebrews 4: 13-16
NEXT STEP: Set aside 5 minutes today and have an honest conversation with God about your future together.