Link by Link

I feel like I'm stuck. Like I'm getting nowhere fast. As if I have these invisible walls around me that are preventing me from reaching my destination. I feel like a prisoner....

Why you may ask, am I feeling this way? Because I'm impatient. I want things to change right now! I don't want to have to feel hurt anymore. I'm tired of crying. And I'm torn between doing what I know I should do and what I feel like doing. If I'm completely honest there are times when I just don't want to do what I know is right. But then that means that I am being self-centered. Not God-centered. And how do things ever change if the changes aren't brought about by God?

I am finding that my suffering is worthwhile. That my pain is not in vain. That God will further His kingdom, somehow, some way, not in spite of, but through my trials.

Philippians 1:12&13 says, "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ."

You see, the truth of the matter is that I am not in "prison" just because life handed me some lemons along the way. No siree!! I am in chains because God has a master plan. There have been many difficult times in my life. Things that I have only overcome because of the grace of God. And things that God knew He would use to help someone else going through similar circumstances. Each of those trials has become a link. Link by link, they have joined together to make a chain.

I can look at this one of two ways. I can be chained as a prisoner in a dungeon of my own making. Or I can allow my chains to connect me to Jesus. In my suffering, I can choose to find joy. Joy in knowing that my trials are only for a short time. Joy in understanding that God already knows the people whose lives will be changed because of what they see God doing in my life. Joy in the promise that when this life is no more, I will be in the presence of my Heavenly Father, who will wipe away every tear.

So I will say with Paul, "Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (Philippians 1:18&19). And not only for me, but for as many as can be reached with Your love, precious Lord! AMEN!!