I have been thinking about God's purpose in the period of trials. I came across this passage this morning about the early persecution of the church. These two verses captured for me what the results of the persecution became.
"But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." ~Acts 8:3-4 (NIV)
Think about this for a moment.
The early church was experiencing a local revival in that small area. If they had not been persecuted and caused to scatter, the message may not ever have left that region. God was able to take that horrible time and use it for the purpose of getting His good news all over the wider area. It was an amazing time.
I know it hurts to be in the midst of trials, and I know we often cannot see beyond it from our perspective of the midst of the shadowy trees. I know how horrible some of these times can be.
Know this, God is there. When you are hurting and cannot see beyond the pain, remember the character of God. Focus on who He is. He never changes. He is my rock. He is my home base. He is my safe haven.
Somehow, when I return to home base, my perspective changes, and I feel like my trials are not as looming as maybe they once felt. I know I will be ok.
So will you.
"But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." ~Acts 8:3-4 (NIV)
Think about this for a moment.
The early church was experiencing a local revival in that small area. If they had not been persecuted and caused to scatter, the message may not ever have left that region. God was able to take that horrible time and use it for the purpose of getting His good news all over the wider area. It was an amazing time.
I know it hurts to be in the midst of trials, and I know we often cannot see beyond it from our perspective of the midst of the shadowy trees. I know how horrible some of these times can be.
Know this, God is there. When you are hurting and cannot see beyond the pain, remember the character of God. Focus on who He is. He never changes. He is my rock. He is my home base. He is my safe haven.
Somehow, when I return to home base, my perspective changes, and I feel like my trials are not as looming as maybe they once felt. I know I will be ok.
So will you.
