Finding ourselves in life's "hard places" can be difficult and disappointing. Loss of a job, betrayed by a friend, divorce, a bad report from the doctor, children on drugs; no food and no money. Whatever your "hard place" maybe at first you deny it, struggle with anger and seek away out of it. And finally you ask yourself a million questions, Do I walk away? Do I confront and speak my mind? Do I stand? Do I let it all go? Depression is at the door and you are fighting to keep it out. Thoughts bombard and land like flames of fire...they can only originate from the pit of hell.... Do you give way to it and settle for less than God's best? NO! The "hard places" are places that God will use to bring glory to himself and us to maturity. He will teach us some of the most valueable lessons we can only learn in the "hard places".
As I travel through my "hard places," I am learning to ask the Lord to show me the lessons he wants me to learn. Lessons of Obedience; Trust; Surrender; Forgiveness and even letting go.
Today, as I reflect on my "hard places" I ran across this life lesson in Deuteronomy 8:) Moses asked, the children of Israel these questions. Do you remember how the Lord led you through the wilderness for all those 40 years? Do you remember how he humbled you to find out how you would respond? Do you remember how he tested you to see whether you would obey him: Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry. Then he fed you with manna. It was a food unknown to both you and your ancestors He did it to show you food isn't everything. He wanted you to know that real life comes by obeying every command of God. For all these 40 years your clothes haven't grown old. And during this time your feet haven't been blistered or swollen. So you should know that the Lord punishes you to help you. He punishes you just as a man punishes his son.
WOW! The hard places are places of learning and remembrance. I guess you could call it "OBEDIENCE" Training 101. Keep moving.... there is more to learn the mount is before us and we must reach the highest form of worship/that is obedience.
