Going Through the Hard Things

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 

Psalm 60:3

Hard things….

Everyone faces them in some shape or another.

Not one of us like them.

Yet, here we are faced with another hard thing.

We have to realize that Sometimes God allows us to go through the hard things.

Hard things are brought into our lives for reasons. God never allows these things to knock us for a loop if it wasn’t for our good. He is the potter and He is molding and making us into “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use…”(2 Timothy 2:21b)

I want this vessel that you see to be one that shows that I have allowed the hard things to shape me into His image. I want you to see Jesus. And if I am to let you see Him in my life then I need to be willing to accept the hard things.

There are….

Hard things to humble us. Things don’t always go as we plan them. Our plans are tainted with our own fleshly desires. What can benefit me. How I will be perceived, what can advance me. Hard things help get the ME out of the way so that He can be my all in all. I refocus on Him and Him alone. The only thing that needs to be lifted up in my life is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone. Nothing of me- All of Him!!! {1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”} Allow the Hard thing to bring you to your knees in complete surrender.

Hard things to help us. Help us see any sin that may be hindering our walk with Him. We need to confess and forsake. It can be as little as ____ or as big as _____.  BUT if it’s something blocking our help it needs to go. When hard things come I always ask the Lord to search my heart and try me. I want to make sure that if this hard thing is chastisement, that I get whatever is between Him and me confessed. I need His help. I need His fellowship. I need Him! And I need Him to help me through this trial. {Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. “} Allow the Hard thing to help you.

Hard things to hit us. These hard things sometimes blindside us. Makes us “drink the wine of astonishment” It tosses us to and fro. Kind of like a drunken man. We’re spinning. This is where we learn to take a deep breath and trust. Trust that He knows what we need. He is in control of the “hard thing”. He only brings these things into our lives to grow us. Every single hard thing that He brings into our lives is wrapped in His Love. Why? Because God is Love. {Job 13:15 “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.”} Allow the Hard things that Hit you strengthen your resolve to trust His Hand.

What hard thing have you been made to drink of lately? What is it that you feel you can’t catch a breath and you’re drinking of that wine of astonishment?

Whatever your “hard thing” is know this….

God never makes a mistake. 

God never allows hard things without purpose. 

God loves you and longs for you to grow closer to Him.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8