Why difficult times?

Karen and I try to start every morning by reading our Bible together... outloud... in English and then in Deutsch. It is more than a chance to practice our pronunciation and reading skills. It is a time of reflecting together on God's word, it is a time of hearing how the other one is effected by what we read, and it is a time to see how in different languages we can have a deeper, fuller understanding of what God is trying to share with us. It is truly a blessing for us, what a way to start the day!

This morning we were reading Philippians chapter 1. It struck me once again how God uses so many things in our lives for "HIS WORK". Let me back up a second. How many of you out there actaully like difficult times? How many of you out there relish the fact that at some point or at some time in your life you are going to have to suffer? It may not even be your fault! But it is gonna come. I think I can step out there and say that not any of us like it. Not any of us even want it! The hard thing sometimes is that we often do not understand why those things are happening to us. Sometimes we may even cry out to God and ask Him why these things are happening... or even why He allows or makes them happen to us.

I like Paul's way of looking at difficulty: 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Paul was put in jail because he preached Christ and Him crusified, and the religious leaders of his day didn't like it. Ever been in prision for something you didn't do? Not me. I think if I had I would be feeling pretty sorry for myself, but not Paul. He was preaching the good news of Jesus Christ to the guards! Talk about a captive audience! I think Paul sees the glass as half full, how about you? Not only was he able to continue to preach to those in his reach, the other Christians who knew of Paul's situation were so encouraged that they were even more boldly proclaiming the wonderful message of Christ.

Okay, I know that we all have difficult times in our lives. It is just the way it is. What is different for us as Christians is how we handle it. Do we grip about it, do we whine about it, do we grumble and complain, do we blame God? Or, do we look for the good that can be accomplished in our given situations. Sometimes we may not get to see the immediate effect... but we learn and with that learning we can help, encourage, strengthen someone else. Paul went on to say something that most of us can quote, "For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." He was looking forward to his reward, but he was also going to use his every breath to try to bring the lost to Jesus and to encourge those committed to Christ to remain true to Him.

Next time difficulty strikes... oh yea, it is gonna happen... look for the possitive in the situation, LOOK for the positive. It is an attitude, and a very good one! I believe God allows/makes things to happen to us because He knows the BIG picture. It is bigger than me, HIS plan. I am so glad that He uses me in His plan. I truly want to bring Him glory in every situation. How about you?