Scripture

My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your {word} decrees.

~Psalm 119:71, NLT

Quote

The constant pressure of adverse circumstances can wear down even the most committed believer.

~John Philips

River rock are round smooth stones that are the result of time, distance, water, sun and erosion. Suffice it to say, you cannot produce river rock in a day. It takes decades for the current, the sand, the sun and the rain to smooth the rough edges. How long does it take for God to make a saint? Decades for sure and it does not happen apart from adversity. Without the swift current, the hot sun, the pounding rain and the gritty sand–you have no smooth stones. The adverse conditions work like sandpaper to smooth the rough edges.

Everyone faces adversity but not everyone responds to it in a positive way. In many cases, adversity leaves a person bitter, cynical, pessimistic and unhappy. David said in reflection, “My suffering was good for me. It taught me to pay attention to God’s word.” It also drew him closer and made him more dependent on God. David was a shepherd, and he knew what shepherds did to wayward lambs; they broke one of their legs, then they carried them until the leg mended and once, they put the lamb down to walk on its own, that lamb stayed very close to the shepherd from that time on.

Now we all face adverse circumstances. For some it is health issues, for others it is relational issues or financial problems. These things stay on our mind’s night and day, and they have an erosive effect; they can wear you down. I do agree with John Philips; I believe that even committed believers can become discouraged by the constant pressure of adverse circumstances. I know by experience that there is no quick fix. We can’t cry out to God in confession of our sin and expect immediately deliverance. In a way, that would be wonderful, but we wouldn’t learn anything. God uses adversity to teach us, and He will not issue a withdrawal certificate the moment we cry for help. It always helps me to understand: IT COULD BE WORSE. How would you like to play Job’s hand or even Joseph’s. What about losing your children in a tornado or spending 12 years in prison? You are feeling better already, aren’t you? Sooner or later, we must learn to live one day at a time and to stay as close to the Shepherd as possible. The pain and agony of our suffering will erode our self-will. In the end, you and I will not have a will. His will becomes our will.

Extra

We did our Nursing home visits yesterday and everyone is fine. Mrs. Edith Bennich was thrilled with the 600 Gideon bibles purchased by DBC in Tom’s memory. Granny T was also good. She gets out of quarantine today, I think. Her attitude is very good. Grace Point has a in house minister at Summerfords–Willowdean Sandlin keeps up with everyone.

Well folks it is September the ninth month of the year. Monday is the last summer holiday and then fall is around the corner. College football this Saturday. Have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.