This shot was taken quite a few years ago, at Star Lake Lodge, near Clearwater, BC.  Genni the Wonder Dog is clearly unhappy, sitting in the boat with me. She would rather be anywhere else than with me. All the indignities and discomfort were secondary to being close to the master.

That’s the way life can be. We all face trials, tribulations, and struggles. We have miserable days, weeks, months and maybe even years.  It can be hard. Yet, I’d rather endure all things if it meant being close to the Master.

Life is going to be hard whether you are a Christian or not. There are going to be highs and lows. Everyone ever born faces them to one degree or another. So the question becomes, would you rather face them alone or being close to the Master?

The Lord does not promise us a problem-free life this side of glory. He doesn’t promise to make our struggles go away. He makes no claim that we will be instantly perfect. The process of struggle, guided by the Lord, is what sanctifies us (sets us apart for holiness).

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we boast in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not put to shame, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance. And let perseverance have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-3

I know my life will not always be happy and pain-free. I know I will suffer losses. There will be times of injustice and persecution. Still, as Paul says…

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Being in the boat may not be pleasant at times, but being outside the boat is infinitely worse. I’ll choose Jesus any time. I may not always be smiling in my circumstances, but it’s better being closeto the Master than anywhere else.

Hold on, my friends. If you are His he has His hand on you no matter how rough the seas.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God) 

Be blessed 

Kevin 

SUMMARY

Being close to Jesus doesn’t exempt us from life’s trials, but it transforms how we face them. Like a dog who endures discomfort just to stay near her master, the Christian chooses to remain with Christ through every storm, knowing His presence is worth more than any comfort.

TAKEAWAY

Life’s hardships come to everyone — Christian or not — but facing them with Jesus means we are never truly alone.

Trials have a purpose: Scripture teaches that affliction produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character gives birth to hope.

God’s grace is sufficient in our weakness, and His power is perfected precisely when we have nothing left of our own.

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