1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast!
God (G) – I call you to do hard things because I need you to be my hands and feet and to do all through you that I have designed you for – I need your “yes” heart – full of trust and be still and know that I am God. Going through the hard stuff with me and in that place of “yes” – gets you to the place that I can use you as I desire and designed. Like the Israelites – 12-day trip took 40 years because I needed them to get their hearts right before they stepped into the promised land SO rather than focusing on hard, on circumstances, on trying to figure out and fix – just say “Yes Lord. I trust you and I am all in for your way” –
Beth (B) – Enough is enough. I want to be what you designed me to be and I trust and believe the truth of who you are – that you are a good Daddy, you love me, and you have a plan and it is good, beyond what I can think or imagine. Another hard day and still I believe that you are in total control, and you are not surprised and I do not need to fix or know what to do, I just need to be still and know that you are God.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Philippians 3:13-16 (TPT) I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.
Colossians 3:23-25 (TPT) Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One! A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the title or prestige of men.
Hebrews 10:36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
B – Thinking the crazier I get (in the world – world’s perspective) the more mature I am in my walk with Christ!
I am reminded again that you are purposeful, and you are not finished, and I am not forgotten. Lord, I pray that you will continue to mold me to your way.
Excerpt from Truth In Hard Places