Blessings through rain drops

A few Sundays ago, I watched Inside Out with a special someone. Overall, it is a great movie because I love animations and also because it has some good life lessons. One of the things I learned was that even though we think that sadness is irrelevant, it actually plays an important role in our lives. If  I were to ask a couple people to choose between sadness and joy, many would opt for joy. I probably would too, after all joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and I am definitely thankful for it. But sadness and all it encompasses has a purpose beyond what we think or often hear of.

Trials,injustices and suffering can result in sadness, grief and sorrow. But these are not the only results, apart from the gloomy and negative stuff, we have the some positive stuff  too. The Bible encourages us to take on a different aspect, to see beyond the obvious and common results. How does the Bible do this? I have thought of short list with many verses :)

1. We are not the only ones
The Bible is filled with real people that have faced real heart-breaking situations just like us. Take Joseph for example, he was a teenager when he was sold into slavery by his own brothers, then thrown into prison for a crime he did not commit and then forgotten in prison. Then Job, the classic example of suffering. Joel lost everything! His children, his possessions, his social status, his health. Basically everything we regard dear in today's society. And Jesus, our Lord, the ultimate example of suffering. He was crucified for our sin. He did no wrong, but He willingly lay down His life so that we may be reconciled to God. Apart from the Bible, the news or in our neighborhoods and cities we see others suffering too,we are not alone.

2. They are opportunities to grow, to be identified with Christ and to depend upon Him
 “We glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:3–5,KJV).

" Dear friends, don’t be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you. But you deserve to suffer if you are a murderer, a thief, a crook, or a busybody.  Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him." (1 Peter 4:12-16, CEV) 

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2Cor1:8-11)
  
3. God is with us

For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;  he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 

(Psalms 27:5,6)

   

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2Cor1:3-5)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.(Psalm 46:1-3)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you...Do not be afraid, for I am with you. (Isa43:1,5)

4. One day it will all be over

 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:18-21)

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3,4)

When grief and setbacks come, it is not the end of the world. God is in control and He is able to bring something beautiful out of it. He is able to use it to refine us thus making us more Christ-like. I encourage you to see not only the negative stuff but the positive stuff too, it's worth it!

God Bless You

 Inspiration + Sources:

The Upside of Setbacks link to site

What Christians Want To Know

  

“The taste of restoration is sweet. There is nothing so great. Do not allow the bitter taste of past failures and defeat leave you with unresolved issues both in your mind and in your life that will weigh you down as time passes if you allow it. Give them over to God. Take those old wounds – the worries and heartaches about your wasted years, and let God restore to you the very years that were taken away. Then press on confidently in joy, He is your hope and your future.” Darell Creswell

God is Good

Before I register for the new academic year, I would like to say a big thank You to God for the previous one.

I started my 2nd year of Bio-Medical Sciences on shaky feet. I was unable to resit my Physics exam and therefore, I had the option of either redoing the class or tolerating it. After seeking advice from the first year supervisor, I choose to tolerate the class. That meant that I would start the 2nd year Physics class without passing the one from the 1st year. And so, I applied for my 2nd year.

My first semester consisted of 5 subjects, of which one was a subject that spanned the whole year. As the weeks went by, I became more anxious and worrisome. Exams were drawing near and I was not prepared. I still could not grasp Analytical Chemistry, Physics involved a large amount of calculus, and with math being my weak point, I was sure I was destined for failure in everything except for Cell Physiology. I did have a chance of passing Metabolism if I just worked harder and if I  had more time. I remember going to Chibwe and telling her that I would quit Chemistry and thus give myself more time to study and therefore a greater chance to pass the other exams. She talked me out of it. We needed to visit our family in Suriname during the summer, so August resits were not an option. I placed the matter into God's hands. After God revealed to me that I need not be afraid of failure, because He was in complete control, I experienced such great peace about the the whole exam period. I wrote all my exams, some were harder than others, and by God's great grace, I passed them all.

I had been told that the 2nd semester of the 2nd year is the most challenging of all semesters in the course and it was. I had 6 subjects, of which 4 out of the 6 had more than one professor. It was a heavy load. I started studying at the beginning of the semester but by the end, I had forgotten most of what I had learned. Another panic attack. So much to do, so little time. I kept telling myself that if only I had one more month then I would have been sure of my success. Luckily, a few good friends of mine and my lovely sister were there to encourage me and told me that I should let go and let God. They didn't know how God would enable me through my exams but they knew He would. I studied what I could and I stood on God's Word. I place sticky notes with verses on my computer and on the wall across my study table. I prayed and praised God before every single exam. A week after the June exam period, I got my results. Not only had I passed everything, but my average grade had also increased and I got a grade that I had not expected for Microbiology.

Last academic year, I learned a lot but the ones that I will never forget are these simple but powerful truths:
1. It's good to be surrounded by people who encourage you in your belief.

2. Faith works wonders.

3. God is not stingy, instead He lavishly pours out mouth-opening blessings on us. He is the God "who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).

4. "When I am weak, then I am strong" because His grace is all I need and His power works perfectly in weakness (2Corthinians 12:9-10).

Please leave comments about how good God has been to you too :)