The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them...He saves them, and they find shelter in him. Psalm 37 :39-40

The most precious times in my life have been when I have been able to see my future most dimly. It has been during these times that I have felt the least "in control of my life and that I have been the most willing to release the reins to God. Don't get me wrong, although these times have been the most precious to me they were also the most painful times of my life as well. The preciousness has become clear in the lens of hindsight and the experience embraced as the most beautifully bittersweet.

For some reason, and I think this is true of most of us, God is most able to get our attention when we are experiencing the consequences of our choices (including our attitudes about our situation). Some just fight against the consequences, abandon what little gratitude they have and blame God for everything. Others recognize that God is sovereign and realize the need for surrender and submission. It is a difficult thing, to really surrender to God. A dear friend once said "God will give you an opportunity every day to answer the question, Do you trust me?"

Answering that question is the beginning and the end of faith and relationship with Jesus.

Before I was afflicted, I went astray but now I obey your word. Psalm 119:67

Obeying his word when we don't always understand is hard for us. It is for me. But this is just where he whispers "Do you trust me?" and we answer not with words but with the choices we make. And we reap the consequence of our choices.

If  you are in a place of pain...sickness, divorce whatever... embrace Jesus in a deeper...deeper sincere way. Listen for his voice and answer the question "Do you trust me?"

Fight! Every. Day.

Mike