Flowering Kale
another example of God's amazing design
I figure that I got a total of about three hours of sleep last night. I was starting to feel a bit cranky about that this morning, when I remembered some of the real trials others are going through: a daughter dealing with cancer, a young couple looking for work, a friend with diabetes, unbelieving friends and relatives, strained relationships, etc. Suddenly my few hours of sleep was such a minor issue by comparison.
Although I'm still feeling tired from it, those hours of sleeplessness were not unproductive. God brought to mind so many people who needed prayers, so that I could pray for them - and without any distractions. I really don't think it was any coincidence that I was given those sleepless hours. Of course I pray for others daily. But it's amazing, when there isn't a list of jobs looking at me, when there are uninterrupted hours of darkness, how it's so much easier to spend real time, focused time, sharing the burdens of others and lifting them up to the only One who can really do anything about them.
I know it's true that all believers in Christ go through trials, for God tells us that we will endure trials as He is making us more and more like His Son. We are not here to have a happy life free of care; we are here to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Part of that package is the trials that all Christ followers share, whether it's financial troubles, unbelieving loved ones, difficult marriages, disease, disability, rebellious children, etc. We need to remember, when we tend to think that some believers lead a 'charmed life,' that many endure trials we never know about. All trials do not look the same. But we all have them. It's part of growing in the Lord.
Praise God that He is with us always and that He does, by His grace, work actively in our lives to make us more like Jesus.
'In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His son...' - Romans 8:26-30
