My Brethren, Count It All Joy.

The Lord has never promised me that my life will be perfect, without trials, tribulations, sickness, or problems. He never said, I would have a long, happy, successful life without any worries. So, why do I feel I deserve a life without strife, a life of wealth, health, and abundance? Why do I feel the Lord owes me something, when in fact, He owes me nothing?! Why do I, a worthless, miserable sinner, feel that I deserve so much more? Why do I take it personally when bad things happen?!

Ecclesiastes 9:11 “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

I don't have the right to worry, to complain, to be fearful, to be content in life, to want more, or to take for granted the many blessing the Lord has blessed me with! I deserve NOTHING!

Thank goodness He took mercy on a dirty, filthy sinner like me. Thank goodness He has given me the promise of my Home in heaven where my worries will be no more. Praise the Lord, I am a child of God! God has graciously offered me eternal life, I have been made an heir to His kingdom, I am His! Oh how I don’t deserve it, but He has dealt mercifully with me and allowed me to be an adopted daughter, sharing in his riches in glory, and an eternal home! Who am I to complain when troubles come? I have been given a promise and an eternal hope! “ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:15-18

God has given me so much here in my earthly home, who am I to complain when disaster or devastation comes? The things of this earth are so very temporary. Family and friends come and go, relationships fail, churches cycle, moths and rust destroy, but God is constant and His promises are forever. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” 1 Peter 1:3-5
“lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Hebrews 12:1-2

With every trial and tribulation I am drawn more expectantly to my homeward journey. I focus more on my eternal home than at my temporary surroundings. The temporary things of life are of no importance, but what matters is that which is eternal. “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;” Matthew 6:20-21
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Lord is faithful. He has met our every need, and provided for our every plight. He has always made a way when life has seemed hopeless. I am so thankful for His gifts and His promises. Praise the Lord for hope!
“we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, HOPE” Romans 5:3-4