11/14/2020 Prayer

God Allows Us To Experience Difficulty...
 
"God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we could learn in no other way." (Frequently credited to C. S. Lewis but actually not his.  Though it does sort of sum up his points in his book, ”The Problem With Pain”)
 
This is an unfortunate truth. The human heart is full of rebellion and amnesia.  As a result, the only way we can learn certain things is to experience low points in life. I know that has been true in my life.
 
When we are experiencing low points in life, we are tempted, whether consciously or not, to begin to doubt the goodness of God.  God does not protect us from hard times. In fact, sometimes I think God might do even more than allow hard times in our lives.  Is it heresy to say that God actually causes hard times in our lives?  I don’t think so…because we need them.  No, God does not protect us from hard times. Rather, He protects us during hard times.
 
I once had a basketball coach who was much harder on me than anyone else.  He would constantly ride me, tell me what I was doing wrong, even if it was just a small thing.  It felt so unfair because he chastised me so much more than anyone else.  I finally could not take it anymore and let him know in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate this special attention. After practice, he pulled me aside and asked me, “Do you know why I am constantly on you?”  Before I could respond, he said, “It is because I know how good you can be.”
 
God wants the best for us.  God knows "how good we can be." As a result, He pays us special attention.  Unfortunately, because of the condition of our hearts, the only way we will learn certain important lessons is to go through difficult things.  Rather than viewing it as God’s chastisement or feeling like God has forgotten us, let’s acknowledge that the difficult times actually show us how much He loves us.
 
He has not forgotten us. He is molding us and preparing us.  As difficult as it is, we must always keep in mind that He allows things in our lives to better us, not to harm us.
 
http://cslewiswisdom.blogspot.com/2012/03/god-allows-us-to-experience-low-points.html
  
"Whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want."    - C.S. Lewis (for real)

PRAY:

• For us to be in such close fellowship with the Lord that we would shine forth His reflection in our lives.
• For the men and women in leadership in America who do not know the Lord to be exposed to the Light of the World, Jesus, and be drawn to Him.
• For those things that are being undertaken in the dark to find exposure to the light.
• For greater transparency in the things surrounding the presidential election.
• For courts dealing with legal challenges coming from concerns about voting irregularities with respect to the election.
• For God to be at work through the president and administration officials as they foster relationships with foreign partners.
• For wisdom for the president and his team as they take part in these meetings, both personally and virtually.
• For rest and encouragement for the president and first lady today.
• For safety and effectiveness at all of the rallies across the U.S.A. today and tomorrow
• For opportunities to share the light of Jesus with others so that they may have eternal life and know peace that passes all understanding.