Under the Weather – Trials of Life
The past few weeks, I’ve been under the weather with a cold bug that transitioned into pneumonia. Thanks to antibiotics and what seems like way too much rest, I am finally up and around.
The weather forecast for yesterday was for some mixed clouds and warmer weather, so we decided to go for a picnic. The weather in all directions looked threatening, so we took a chance and headed out to Rolly Lake, between Mission and Maple Ridge.
We decided in advance that a worst-case scenario was that we would go for a drive and perhaps end up eating our picnic lunch in the vehicle. That has happened often enough.
It looked like snow was falling at the higher altitudes, but we had no intentions of going that high. We got to the lake, and the clouds were dancing around nearby. We managed to get the lawn chairs out and the first few bites eaten before the clouds turned to cold rain.
We finished lunch in the car and drove to Hayward Lake, a reservoir formed by the Ruskin dam. Hayward has a beautiful day-use area, and we saw some trails that look worth exploring in the future. It wasn’t long before the rain caught up, and we decided to call it a day.
It wasn’t the nice sunny picnic on the lakeshore we had hoped for, but it still made for a nice outing after being housebound for several weeks.
Sometimes in life, it seems that, like yesterday’s rain, troubles surround you or follow you. It is an inevitable part of living in a fallen world.
We can’t always avoid them. The Lord will use them to shape us into His image.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5 ESV
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! Hebrews 12:5-9 ESV
It might not feel like it at the moment, but trials are blessings from God.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 ESV
Times of testing and trial will come in this life. Hold fast! The Lord has not abandoned you, and your trials will not be wasted.
In all circumstances, trust God and give Him glory.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin
If you haven’t already, joining a good church will enable you to endure hard times more easily. The church acts as the hands and feet of Jesus, and we can strengthen and encourage one another through Him.
Some thoughts on finding a good church
Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.