Hard Times

We've all gone through or are currently going through some hard times. And it's in our nature to attempt to avoid or avert the storm because it's uncomfortable. Who likes to be uncomfortable? Understand that these hard times AKA "storms" are NECESSARY! It's when we're placed in an uncomfortable situation that we're forced to move. Hard times/Storms aid in shaping and molding us into the people God has created us to be. So how do storms accomplish this? Storms obviously place pressure on us that brings to surface HINDRANCES that need to be addressed and removed. These hindrances can range from faults, old/ungodly mindsets, weaknesses, negative/limited perceptions, etc - All of these HINDER our spiritual growth in God. From birth we are in flesh. And that flesh craves the things that are pleasing to the our natural senses; smell, taste, sound, touch, sight.(I think those are all the senses? Lol) It doesn't help that the world we live in caters to those very senses that we, as a Christian culture, are trying to move away from. We're wanting to move away from these because to be driven by these senses means we're not being led by the Spirit of God. But as the word of God says," Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2 (NIV) But our fleshes DESIRES and WANTS are these! So what is the remedy? The remedy for this: to DIE DAILY. This means we have to let our flesh die daily and often, by not giving into temptation, exercising self control, and disciplining ourselves. We know the goal is this: to move away from the fleshes' WANTS, or as you may have heard others call it DECREASING, so that our spirit may have ample room to grow. We are created with BOTH, spirit and flesh, but one cannot grow stronger with the other in the way. Makes sense, right? It's like having one pot of soil with two different plants. One has got to die for the other to continue growth. Being that the goal is to DECREASE in the flesh so that the spirit may grow stronger than the flesh, how do we do that? Let me first let you know that if you go down a list of DO's and DONT's you will be overwhelmed and you will STRUGGLE at trying maintaining the list. Many have had a technical view point and approach to living for God and they have failed or backslid in their walk in result. Nothing about our relationship with God is suppose to be FORCED or TECHNICAL. It's like any marriage in the sense that you marry someone its because you're in love with them and want to spend the rest of your life with them. So why then do some treat their union with God as a duty? We can't go into this with God as though this is a chore or job to us. We're not employees. We are children of God with an inheritance awaiting us, and as a people we are the Bride of Christ. Some have failed because they first failed to fall in love with God. When you fall in love with someone, nothing they ask or require of you is too much. You DESIRE to do things to please them because you want to see them happy more than anything. How much more though for God, your Creator, who has nothing but plans to prosper you? "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) So with this new perspective of dying to self/flesh we can now look at these "storms" as necessary for spiritual growth and edification. I urge and implore you to find out more about who God is and what He's capable of. Spend time with Him in worship and prayer. Take your time doing these things. And as you spend time with Him, you WILL fall in love! It's impossible to know God and not absolutely adore and love Him greatly. So get to know Him, beloved. :) As a child when a parent or an adult told us "no, don't do that or don't touch that", we wanted to know why? And maybe from a parent's point of view it seemed disrespectful to ask before obeying but sometimes it really helps the child to better follow through with instructions when we are patient to explain and help them to understand why this or that is dangerous or harmful, etc. We now take this into consideration with needing to decrease in the flesh. Having a better understanding will hopefully move you to better follow through in dying to flesh and better endure hardship. No, your flesh HATES being tested and going through this storm but YES, it's good for your spirit! Take notes of what tempts you and of your faults/weaknesses also. Uproot those things by addressing them in prayer and fasting. Make the most of this storm so that you can double or triple your progress.  Keep in mind that the attitude you have while going through the storms is also being ASSESSED! NO complaining and NO negativity! For those going through right now; keep your head up! Know that all precious gems and metals have to go through a refining fire to burn off their impurities. :) Be blessed everyone. Love you all.