In the past 2 years since my husband has been in film school, we have experienced some lean financial times. As we near the end, we get weary and doubt creeps in. Even though our God has supplied enough money every month, we wonder when we will no longer have to worry about having enough income to be able to pay the bills. We have been able to pay each one and not go into deeper debt, but almost every month, I look over the budget and think, "How will we make it this time?"
You'd think by now that I would stop doubting! But yet I struggle.
Last night sleep escaped me as I tossed and turned. My mind swirled with worry about the future, and finding money to pay bills. How long will we struggle financially? Eventually I cried out to my Abba and once again gave the burdens to him.
This time he answered me with a vision: I saw an entire room filled with dark shapes. As the sun rose, shafts of light poured into the windows flooding the room with light. Then my eyes saw a dazzling rainbow of color. There before me was a room full of sparkling treasure!
"What's this?" I asked.
"The gifts that I have bestowed upon you!", he answered.
My mind began retracing the past few years. Not only have we had financial struggles, but also trials in our marriage and in other relationships.
As I reminisced about each one, I began to see what blessings came from all the heartache.
God had lovingly guided us along. He knew exactly what time a particular gift was needed. They came in different forms: scripture passages, people, books, music and experiences. Each one exactly what we needed at that time. The Lord had it all perfectly timed and tailored to our distinct needs. He knew the future growth that would be formed in us.
There are many examples in scripture of God working in others lives through pain. Here is just one:
"Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfil his dreams. The Lord tested Joseph's character" ~ Psalm 105
Our struggles are nothing like Joseph, but I see how God works behind the scenes in our lives bringing about the best results. God desires that we trust him and not lose faith. I may still doubt from time to time. But hopefully the next time I will recall the vision he gave me and remember that we have enough treasure to fill an entire room.
.
You'd think by now that I would stop doubting! But yet I struggle.
Last night sleep escaped me as I tossed and turned. My mind swirled with worry about the future, and finding money to pay bills. How long will we struggle financially? Eventually I cried out to my Abba and once again gave the burdens to him.
This time he answered me with a vision: I saw an entire room filled with dark shapes. As the sun rose, shafts of light poured into the windows flooding the room with light. Then my eyes saw a dazzling rainbow of color. There before me was a room full of sparkling treasure!
"What's this?" I asked.
"The gifts that I have bestowed upon you!", he answered.
My mind began retracing the past few years. Not only have we had financial struggles, but also trials in our marriage and in other relationships.
As I reminisced about each one, I began to see what blessings came from all the heartache.
God had lovingly guided us along. He knew exactly what time a particular gift was needed. They came in different forms: scripture passages, people, books, music and experiences. Each one exactly what we needed at that time. The Lord had it all perfectly timed and tailored to our distinct needs. He knew the future growth that would be formed in us.
There are many examples in scripture of God working in others lives through pain. Here is just one:
"Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfil his dreams. The Lord tested Joseph's character" ~ Psalm 105
Our struggles are nothing like Joseph, but I see how God works behind the scenes in our lives bringing about the best results. God desires that we trust him and not lose faith. I may still doubt from time to time. But hopefully the next time I will recall the vision he gave me and remember that we have enough treasure to fill an entire room.
.
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