on trials and trust

maybe someone needed to read this today? 

i know i needed it.

i have a bunch of "mixed CDs" just laying around in the car.

i stuck in this particular CD and this was the first song that played.

and it was exactly what i needed to be reminded of.

please take the three minutes and listen to it

i included the lyrics below (emphasis mine, of course).

i mean, they're just Truth, with some pretty music added to it.
and hopefully they'll give you strength for whatever your circumstances might be

if you don't know who Ginny Owens is, she's a singer/songwriter. and she's blind. i won't write out her full bio, but i think that fact alone gives her some solid "street-credit" when writing about trials, doesn't it?

the pathway is broken

and the signs are unclear

and i don't know the reason 

why You brought me here

but just because You love me the way that You do

i'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to

no i'm not who i was

when i took my first step

and i'm clinging to the promise: You're not through with me yet *

so if all of these trials bring me closer to You

then i will walk through the fire if you want me to

it may not be the way i would've chosen

when you lead me through a world

that's not my home

but You never said it would be easy *

You only said i'd never go alone *

so when the whole world turns against me

and i'm all by myself

and i can't hear You answer my cries for help

i'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through

and i will walk through the darkness if you want me to

cause when i cross over Jordan

i'm gonna sing, gonna shout

i'm gonna look into your eyes and see: You never let me down 

so take me on the pathway that leads me Home to You

and i will walk through the valley if you want me to

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  

... He who began a good work in you will carry it on 

to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. philippians 1:6

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; 

he will never leave you nor forsake you. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” 

Deuteronomy 31:8

When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, "I trust you Jesus" 

in response to whatever happens to you...  this simple practice 

will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My 

sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from 

this perspective, through the light of My universal presence, 

fear loses its grip on you." - Jesus Calling [pg. 5]

"Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life. 

Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties. 

This is a false hope! As I told my disciples: in the world you will have trouble. 

Link your hope not to problem solving in this life, 

but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven... 

it is possible to enjoy me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances. 

In fact, My light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark." 

Jesus Calling [pg. 27]

"Trust is a golden pathway to Heaven. When you walk on this path, 

you live above your circumstances. My glorious Light shines more brightly 

on those who follow this path of Life. Dare to walk on the high road with Me, 

for it is the more direct route to heaven. The low road is circuitous: 

twisting and turning in agonizing knots. 

There the air hangs heavy, and dark, ominous clouds predominate. 

Relying on your own understanding will weigh you down. 

Trust in Me absolutely, and I will make your path straight." 

Jesus Calling [pg. 28]

i just discovered there's a Jesus Calling app for iPhone & iPad in case you want to start reading it right away and don't have the chance to get to the bookstore right this minute. it's either free (which includes just one week's worth of devotions) or it's $10 for the full thing. well worth it!