Have you ever heard a testimony similar to this? A person loses his job, prays to the Lord for help, and then finds another job with a better salary in just a couple of weeks?
While we can all rejoice with that person, many times the situation does not turn around that quickly. Sometimes it may even get worse in spite of our most earnest prayers.
I was contemplating this in prayer a while back, and a thought came to my heart. God is looking for people who will follow Him for no earthly reason, especially in these times. We are following Him because He is the one true God and not because we are healthy or making a lot of money or have much of what the world can offer us.
This also applies to our ministry and the people we serve.
Just because a child accepts the Lord does not mean that her life will suddenly get better with regard to this world. In fact, things may get worse as the Enemy tries to discourage another new Christian.
We are instructed to walk by faith and not by sight, even in the darkest hours.
Our faith grows in depth and perseverance during these times. It may be a long time before we see any turnaround, if it ever comes at all. But the quality and extent of our faith that develops while we are on this earth will bear fruit even in eternity.
I wonder if the angels rejoice even more so in a testimony like this one: “Things got bad, I prayed, they got worse, I prayed again, they didn’t improve. But I am still trusting in God and praising Him.”
We live by faith, not by sight. —2 Corinthians 5:7, NIV
Prayer: Lord, please help us to have pure hearts as we follow You.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alan Werckle is a Contact Center representative at the Global Ministry Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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So true. I am not impressed by how well life goes for those who call on the Lord, but rather, by the way they handle the circumstances when life isn’t going so well.
Thank you for the reminder to serve Him fully regardless if my situation isn’t fitting. He makes all things work together for my good. I am blessed simply because I serve a God who is worthy of my praise!
Well said. We too often associate favorable circumstances with God’s smile and unfavorable circumstances with His frown. The reality is that our contentment is to rest in our relationship to Christ not our circumstances… “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
This message so needed to be preached. Thank you!
Great message – thanks for sharing!
What a great thought. It would be wonderful if the church could move away from the prosperity paradigm and embrace suffering as a part of Christian life. Christ and his disciples suffered – yet we are often only interested in the gospel because of its perceived material advantages. Life is full of unresolved problems and pain that only makes sense from an eternal perspective.