Restored!Campione

Embrace The Process

It would be nice of all the changes that need to take place in our lives came easy, but often the changes that need to take place in our lives will only come when we are pressured into them through painful circumstances. God is never the cause of pain in our lives but, in love, he will make use of trials in order to bring restoration.

Many Christians believe they should never experience any kind of suffering and they will question God’s love for them when they experience pain of any kind, but suffering is the harsh reality of life in a fallen world. God never promises to shelter His children from pain. He does promise, however, that He will work all things, including suffering, together for our good.

Sometimes pain is the wake-up call that awakens our hearts to something we know we need to deal with, but have refused to deal with. Other times pain humbles us and forces us to come to terms with the fact that we’ve become too self-sufficient and filled with human pride. And then there are times when painful experiences serve to sensitize our hearts to the pain and suffering being experienced by others.

The writer of Hebrews is telling us that we need to trust our Father’s heart. We may not understand everything that happens to us in this life, but we can trust that God’s heart is always for His children and that everything he allows is for our good. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!

PRAYER

Father, I trust in your goodness. As your child, I surrender to your plans for my life. Even when I don’t understand the circumstances of life, I will trust that I am your child, that you love me and that you will always do what is best for me. At your altar, I lay down my life – all that I am; my hopes, my dreams, my plans; it all belongs to you.