As some of you know (and have prayed for us, called, and sent encouraging emails), Warren and I are going through a job related trial.
The scripture tells us in James 1:2-4 "to consider it a sheer gift when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (The Message)
Some of the gifts God is giving us in this trial is spiritual insight, increased faith, and a nearness to Him. Truly we can say there is no better place to be!
Last week as Warren and I prayed separately about our situation, we came together and shared with each other what the Lord was speaking to our hearts. I shared with Warren that I believed the Lord was instructing me to "embrace" this trial and not to resent or resist it - that God was certainly able to show us His glory and grace in it. Warren shared back with me that this was exactly what God was speaking to his heart. If we resent and resist this trial, we would limit the Good Hand of God to work in a mighty way in our lives.
We made the choice to embrace this trial and accept the cut in salary with anticipation in seeing just how the Lord will provide and direct us. The Lord reminded us that three years earlier (when Warren retired from Rosemount) He had already made the provision for our finances for this lean time. Warren had some growing money left from his 41K that he had not rolled over to another account and was able to pull it out and rest it in our bank account. Thank you, Lord.
I was also reminded of what a relative shared with us over 24 years ago when we were struggling with the desire to send our children to a Christian school knowing we just did not have the means to do so, or so we thought. His words changed our thinking and broadened our faith. Robert M. told us: "Don't you know that God has the provision before the need!"
Warren has been at his National Sales Meeting since Sunday. He and the big boss had an opportunity to dialogue and of course his salary cut came up. Warren sincerely told him that he was cool with it and that we felt God has a plan in this for us. This boss told Warren that he did not want to lose him and that if need be his salary would not be cut until Warren was ready! Thank you, Lord.
We have chosen to continue walking in faith with the pay cut, knowing that God is going to provide for us through the higher level of commission. Since last week, Warren has seen some big orders coming in and others pending. We believe that this has all been in God's timing and His blessing and provision for us.
I believe the BEST part about all of this is that we are learning how to walk in/through a trial "counting it all joy"and truly experiencing the Mind of Christ. Added to this is the joy of you, the Body of Chirst, who have loved and encouraged us in pray. We are indeed grateful for you in our lives.
The Lord has NEVER let us down. He has ALWAYS been FAITHFUL!
The scripture tells us in James 1:2-4 "to consider it a sheer gift when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (The Message)
Some of the gifts God is giving us in this trial is spiritual insight, increased faith, and a nearness to Him. Truly we can say there is no better place to be!
Last week as Warren and I prayed separately about our situation, we came together and shared with each other what the Lord was speaking to our hearts. I shared with Warren that I believed the Lord was instructing me to "embrace" this trial and not to resent or resist it - that God was certainly able to show us His glory and grace in it. Warren shared back with me that this was exactly what God was speaking to his heart. If we resent and resist this trial, we would limit the Good Hand of God to work in a mighty way in our lives.
We made the choice to embrace this trial and accept the cut in salary with anticipation in seeing just how the Lord will provide and direct us. The Lord reminded us that three years earlier (when Warren retired from Rosemount) He had already made the provision for our finances for this lean time. Warren had some growing money left from his 41K that he had not rolled over to another account and was able to pull it out and rest it in our bank account. Thank you, Lord.
I was also reminded of what a relative shared with us over 24 years ago when we were struggling with the desire to send our children to a Christian school knowing we just did not have the means to do so, or so we thought. His words changed our thinking and broadened our faith. Robert M. told us: "Don't you know that God has the provision before the need!"
Warren has been at his National Sales Meeting since Sunday. He and the big boss had an opportunity to dialogue and of course his salary cut came up. Warren sincerely told him that he was cool with it and that we felt God has a plan in this for us. This boss told Warren that he did not want to lose him and that if need be his salary would not be cut until Warren was ready! Thank you, Lord.
We have chosen to continue walking in faith with the pay cut, knowing that God is going to provide for us through the higher level of commission. Since last week, Warren has seen some big orders coming in and others pending. We believe that this has all been in God's timing and His blessing and provision for us.
I believe the BEST part about all of this is that we are learning how to walk in/through a trial "counting it all joy"and truly experiencing the Mind of Christ. Added to this is the joy of you, the Body of Chirst, who have loved and encouraged us in pray. We are indeed grateful for you in our lives.
The Lord has NEVER let us down. He has ALWAYS been FAITHFUL!
God is good ALL the time. ALL the time God is good.
1 comment:
I am thankful God is providing your needs. It is true that I believe we endure trials so that we remember that we need to totally depend upon God... how easily we forget we need Him when everything is going "ok." Thank you for your comment on my recent blog, when I shared about health issues. I joined sparkpeople.com just tonight and like it a lot. I also have put in info. to check out Curves.. I had done that before and like it.. I feel I need something like that so I will take time to exercise instead of using an excuse not to. I will see how that pans out. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers. I appreciate you!!! Love you!
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