The Purpose of Your Trial

Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. The path to our destiny seldom looks the way we would anticipate. Do you think Joseph thought his dreams of power and leadership would be paved by betrayal and slavery? What about David? He was anointed as King as a child, yet his preparation process included being a servant to Saul, then running from Him and hiding in caves. There was a lot of testing in their lives. Their integrity, faith, character and humility were molded until they were finally humble, broken and dependent on God enough to step into their purpose. It's not a prideful, self-sufficient, strong independent vessel He's building, but one who knows they have no ability or strength outside of the work of the cross and the anointing of the Holy Spirit! They are filled with confidence in who they are in Christ alone!!! So, what are you going through today? Do you feel like you're taking steps backwards as more and more of your earthly strength and security is being stripped away?? Is fear or your circumstances beginning to make you more desperate for Jesus and you're wondering what in the world is going on!? Yeah... that's right where He wants you! The only source of our security, strength, power and victory must be in Christ alone!! He loves us enough to allow trials to catapult us in the direction He wants us to go and cause our focus to turn to the only source of light and hope! He's it folks! There's no other way!! If you're wondering what to do today, here's your answer! Seek Him!! Lay it all down! Give it all up! Every sin, dream, desire, time, expectation and in some cases relationships, money and possessions! Anything that keeps you from holiness and complete dependence on Him! Nothing in this life matters as much as living in the center of His will, completely surrendered to His desires! Submit to the purging process and once you do, your true identity will emerge! Your life will become a reflection of Christ! His power, authority and victory will be manifested in every area, but the difference is, He will get ALL of the glory and you will be blessed by sharing your testimony and pointing others to Jesus!!! Every single trial I've experienced in my life has drawn me closer to Him, taught me incredible lessons and even changed my focus and the direction I was headed in. Things may have seemed to be going well, yet changes had to be made to get me to the next juncture of His divine purpose. That's not always pleasant or comfortable...

Don't curse your trial, yes, pray and fight against the enemy, rebuking his manipulation while understanding God's Word and knowing that His promises are yours! As you're waiting for the answered prayers, worship, seek direction and learn valuable lessons from the process. There's nothing wasted in His Kingdom and He will use every situation to lead us deeper into His presence and will!!! He's a good, good Father!!! Ask Him to show you the purpose of your trial!

Romans 8:27-28 (TPT) God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us, his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our destiny. So, we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose.

Romans 5:3-5 (VOICE) And that’s not all. We also celebrate in seasons of suffering because we know that when we suffer we develop endurance, which shapes our characters. When our characters are refined, we learn what it means to hope and anticipate God’s goodness. And hope will never fail to satisfy our deepest need because the Holy Spirit that was given to us has flooded our hearts with God’s love.