Reflections for the moment #17 Resilience (5th June 09)

Dear…

'Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.'

James 1;3-4

Not sure about you, but in times of challenges, even now, I do wish God will turn down the temperature a mite lower, to make things more comfortable for me. And till then, angst and the whole myriad of emotions hovered around my very being, making life tortuous.

Life is still a challenge. In fact, as a desirous follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, one do get a sense that we are being challenged more, for the devil cannot be too happy about us looking beyond his delusions, and God will allow us to be refined furthur, to be in His likeness, for correction has to start with His children.

'But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering…'
James 1:6

How does one stay focused? How does stay on the race of faith, looking to the ultimate prize, a place in the Kingdom of God? How does one let go and let God?

God is Sovereign. He is in control and every event or circumstance in our lives will have a purpose, His purpose, for our good and this fact does serve not just as a timely reminder of His faithfulness, but it keeps me steadfast, when wobbly should be the norm, and it allows me to look at all matters, no matter how dire it might seem for the moment, from God's perspective.

'I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me..'
Philippians 4:13

Interestingly, this was the verse that has appeared to me twice these past 2 days from two separate articles. And for good measure, a verse I was looking for and not sure exactly where it was stared right at me in the face, as I opened the Bible.

Silly as it might seem, such coincidences is not a matter of rarity but of suffice frequency at the right circumstances to remind and assure me of God's ever presence. But it is more than this. For all of us who seek to follow our Lord Jesus Christ diligently, in words and in works, God's ever prescient hands in our lives, His wonderful tapestry in the big and small matters of our life, which we have always been blessed to look back upon with joy, after each and every challenge, has ensured that the deep assurance and certainty that goes beyond finite human understanding, that has and will provide the bulwark to our faith, much as our flesh might desire otherwise, that our hearts have learned to look beyond the immediate challenges and to learn to submit to Him, knowing that God is Sovereign.

'….I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound…..'

Philippians 4:11-12

Thankfulness in all situations has allowed me to learn to give God time to show me His way, at His timing. And what about the screaming gap in between, where many in the past will either sink in the mire of despair, or like the quicksand, struggle even harder on their own strength, not realizing that they will only sink faster, to their own demise?

'Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.'

Philippians 4:6

'Finally, brethren, whatsover things are true, …are honest….are just,….are pure…..are lovely…..are of good report…..think on these things…..do and the God of peace shall be with you.'

Philippians 4:8-10

Thankfulness will lead us to stop questioning God, and to start to do what pleases Him, much as many will find it difficult or impossible. With men, it is impossible, with God, all things are possible, but when was the last time that you were with our Lord?

'But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.'
Acts 6:4

Rgds and God Blesses

Eng Hieang
(5th June 09)

An afterthought
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'For the enemy hath persecuted my soul, he hath smitten my life down to the ground……Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me, my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old. I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands……..Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God…'

Psalm 143

As I pondered upon a pressing issue at hand, like many, we do gyrate between a desire to trust God on His timing and ways, yet we wish that the burden facing us will just be removed like now. Resilience comes from God, but often, we tend to mistake our resistance to truly letting go and letting Him work in our lives, our determined efforts to overcome on our own strength, as resilience imbued by the Holy Spirit.

Resilience comes when our hearts are stilled, to hear God's will. When we will ourselves to honour Him in whichever way He leads us, praying more to align our will to His will, and paying no consideration to the conclusion of our own interests or needs. When we remember that God will always have our interests at heart, that He is Sovereign, that God is allowing us to live out our faith and that good always come out of our troubles. Resilience is unconditional submission to God.

'Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.'

2 Corinthians 1:4