What tests do you have? May newsletter article

Nothing frustrates me more than when some electronic stops working like it is supposed to. Whether it is a computer, phone, stove or the TV, I am an equal opportunity distributor of angst and gritting of teeth to one and all. I hate when things hang over my head because they are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. I try to move and they follow me. You know what I mean? We’ve all been there. Standing before this piece of plastic, trying to get something else done, but we can’t concentrate on anything save that solitary issue. We have expectations that things should do what they were meant to do and we don’t think about them when they do them.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. When bad things happen that are so much bigger than something not working, what do we expect of God? Do we pray and get no answer and expect God to “fix” our problem…now? When things aren’t going well we often turn to God and cry and beg and plead that this would be taken from us. Listen to what Jesus said to Peter:


Luke 22:31-32 (The Message)
31-32"Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start."
Most of the time when we go through trials of any kinds, the thing that Jesus most often does is pray for us. How amazing is that?! Jesus prays for us. We all have to be sifted and ground down sometimes. It is then that our faith grows and we rely more on God than before. Christ often intercedes for us rather than intervening for us.

So no matter what you are going through, no matter what the world tells you will happen to you, know that Jesus is praying for you. Right now. Before the Father. On your behalf. You can get through whatever it is you are facing because you have the same power in you that raised Christ from the dead! You have the same power in you that was used to create this world. God still reigns. He still loves you and He still has the best for you in mind. Period.