Welcome to Weekly Topic Saturdays!
Hello all, I pray that your week was filled with joy and love. Welcome back to those who have been with me here at A Golden Dream. For my first-timers, a great big hello there, if you haven't already please check out my previous posts when you get a chance.
Please don't hesitate to join the conversation, there are no right or wrong answers or questions. I'm not proclaiming to know everything, I am simply just discussing and picking topics on things that I personally have gone through and that I know would help someone.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1: 2-3
So in the past two blog posts, Weekly Topic Saturday #23: Stop Asking God Why and Ask God What and Motivational Monday #24: Purpose In Pain, we discussed what we should ask God when we are going through trials and tribulations. We also discussed that our trials, situations, and circumstances all have a purpose as well as an expiration date. In the midst of all of the bad, there is something that can be taken away from it. We can and should always try and find the positive or the “silver lining” in every situation because our mind is fixed on what we are thinking.
In this post, I wanted to add “It Is Necessary” to the mix. When I first was laying out the order of these topics I was thinking, is “Purpose In Pain” and “It Is Necessary” the same topic? After careful consideration of both topics, I came to the conclusion that they are indeed separate. Here's why.
For me personally, I consider both topics as a Cause and Effect situation. Purpose In Pain is the Cause due to the fact that I'm currently in the present going through it. I'm pushing through the discomfort and finding my strength in the process. It Is Necessary on the other hand would be considered the Effect. All of my past experiences up to this current point in my life have been necessary, why? Because all of it made me who I am today.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Isaiah 48:10
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10
I had to tell you what the Word of God says about trials and tribulations when they do come because they will come. It’s been a long and hard process when knowing what to do. One, because when you are going through it, at least for me, I forget everything that I learned. I panic, and then that’s when worry and all his friends come along too, they're called anxiety, confusion, and fear. That combo right there will stop anyone in their tracks.
Two, I believe people forget to pray. I know I have If I'm going, to be honest. There were and still are situations where I was like OMG!, What am I going to do. How am I going to fix this? how will this work? Relying on what?, my OWN understanding, which we all know is not good. It’s counterproductive. It wasn't until I exhausted all of my resources and then and only then would I remember I need to pray. We get some lost in the current of the waves that we don't realize God should be our immediate response.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
There is a perfect song that compliments today's blog post that I want to address and the lyrics are as followed,
Every trial that you’ve been through
Happened for a reason.
It was to build you.
Every storm that you’ve been through,
Happened for a reason.
God said to tell you,
It was Necessary. (I did my dirt but)
It was Necessary (he saw you but he said)
It was Necessary!
I am who I am today
Because God used my mistakes
He worked them for my good
Like no one's ever could
God told me to tell you.
It was necessary.
-Dennis Reed & GAP
I'm going to say this and then leave it there. everything that I went through, everything that I'm going through, is a test for a testimony. God took everything and I mean every little thing and used it for MY good. Because he knew one else could never do the same. I love and fell in love with this song because it oozes with unconditional love that God has for his children.
Questions To Consider:
Reflect back to a moment when you were going through a situation, out of it bad or good what was a revelation that you had after the situation was over? Was there a moment of clarity? A change in perspective?
Think of a moment in your life that was necessary for you to go through because you wouldn't have understood any other way than to actually experience it full hand?
Has your experience made you more humble? Why or why not?
Do you think going through hardship displays people's intentions or true colors?
For yourself, come up with ways in how you can remember what to do when going through trials and tribulations?
With Love, please always remember that trials come and they always leave. We just have to persevere and get through them with the help of God and family and friends. Remember to use God as a primary source to all of your problems as they come and when they come. God is the only one who can bare everything and not get weary of it all. He wants...no encourages us to cast all our cares to him. So use him, he wants to help you.
In the end, the bible encourages us to have faith. Meditating on the Word is saying, “ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” All these scriptures need to be engraved in us, and I’m speaking to myself too. Meditate on the Word of God and use it as your weapon to fight.
Remember, all your tears, the hatred, the suffering, the misunderstandings, the setbacks, the persecution, ALL of it, was on purpose and all of it was hard but it was necessary.
~Just Breathe...A Golden Dream~
Amen.