Trials

“When I understand that everything happening to me is to make me more Christlike, it resolves a great deal of anxiety.”  A.W. Tozer

If we believe that everything happening to us does contain the potential for making us more Christlike and can be used for God’s good purposes, then the question is, in all honesty, which is more important to us – ease and comfort – or being more Christlike?

Do we want to just get rid of the problem, desiring personal comfort only; or are we willing to temporarily embrace the problem, examine it, and use it for God’s glory.

Today, at this season in life, I can say that being more Christlike is very important to me. Yes, my humanity balks and argues and wants personal satisfaction, but I do try to realign my focus on God (granted though, at times successful and others, not).

So, as I’m facing another scan lighting up for possible cancer and the wait involved in diagnosing the issue, I find A.W. Tozer’s quote above helpful.

Instead of focusing on the disease and treatments (having been down that road before), I need to micro-manage my thinking, choosing to consider how I can grow more Christlike in this time of waiting. What can I newly learn about my faith in Christ? When considering mortality, am I using my days to honor Him? How can I lean more on Him with trust that come what may, it can be used for His good purposes? And how can I be ok with that?

When the emotions (fear and anxiety, need for control) present themselves, I need to reject them and look to Christ in prayer, meditation, His Word. And I need to consider this “trial” as an object to be used for God’s purposes, something to take in hand, look at, turn it over, and consider it no more than a hurdle that will be used to strengthen my faith and my walk with Christ, thereby bringing glory to God.

Does anything in your own life come to mind? Anything that has become powerful enough to distract, de-rail, cause anxiety or depression, or simply ruin the day with its dark cloud hovering above? Could A.W. Tozer’s mindset be helpful for you?

While it’s easier said than done, praise God, we have the Holy Spirit to help! So often we try to do it all on our own when all the while we have God’s Holy Spirit within us to help, guide, instruct.

Lord, thank you for loving us as You do. Thank you for the priceless gift of your Holy Spirit to help us with our daily issues. Thank you for noticing and using all our challenges for Your glory and for our benefit in relationship with You. Help us to be teachable, to be willing students, to desire spiritual growth and to keep You in our sights as the One to be honored and praised in all things, all ways, all of life and every moment from now to eternity. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.