Since my mother’s passing in June, I, along with my three sisters, have had the privilege of walking through her thoughts, getting her Estate in order. I am finding a wealth of information about her “seasoned” heart and my heart has responded to the love expressed in her times of trial, rejection and failure!
C. S. Lewis once defined history as “the long terrible story of man trying to find happiness apart from God”. The secret of a satisfied heart is NOT the pursuit of satisfaction or happiness…they are the by-products. Discovering God, HIS path of obedience and HIS love in actual practice is the basis of genuine growth, absolute gratefulness and joy in life.
Discouragement often accompanies times of trial, rejection and failure. “For you have tried us, O God; you have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; you laid an oppressive burden on us, you made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet YOU brought us out into a place of abundance.” Psa. 66:10-12
I am reminded of the way God works to bring new release,
greater fulfillment, abundance and growth. It is usually wrapped in the package of truth…
The more desperate the trial, the greater the growth!
A while back, my life was completely disillusioned by a person very close to me that had always demonstrated loyalty and trust. My attention was instantly drawn to the distress and directness of the accusations against me. I felt that “ person riding over my head”!
I kept hearing the words…God is not interested in helping us maintain
a sense of worth independent of HIM.
I accepted temporarily an “oppressive burden” and knew the “fire and water” was surely inevitable. God “arranges” circumstances…(even, and especially in our failures), to break through our resistance until we honestly acknowledge and accept our need for HIM alone! Every other love, than God’s, is limited by some degree of distance, hesitation or distrust.
I was then, and am still now, daily challenged to focus on how HE sees me and the treasure chest of truths on what delights HIS heart and NOT on the disillusionments and disappointments of life.
Greater growth…greater trial.
Trials come to help me reach my chosen goal, even though it sometimes frustrates my surface desires…therefore, I’m going on record to say…I welcome it! Tribulation is God’s fastest road to patience, character, hope, confidence, genuine love…etc.! In these days of confusion, riots and unrest, I continue to rest in a simple quiet purpose of heart…asking God for a celebration in the form of exuberance! (Antselvania)
God continues to answer my prayer…I am not too old to serve, too seasoned to teach, too stubborn to learn, too weak to lead, too confounded to be productive…etc.
I am in perfect position for growth!!
Will you grow with me?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
