From the moment I woke up this morning I have been creamed by the enemy. I did everything I could think to do when confronted with evil and I still did not find peace in my spirit, what do you do next? I desperately sought after God for a solution to my problem and he reminded me of what I was missing. I was missing the first major element to battle-the element of confidence. I was getting creamed because my confidence was shattered. God reminded me that I would win this battle because of the plan He gave us found in Ephesians 6: 10-18.
The very first thing Paul speaks about is “Be Strong”, “Stand Firm” and after you have stood firm, stand firm then…. What is standing firm? I picture myself completely covered in armor standing on a large open field with every muscle tense and bowed. I look as if I‘m bracing for a one-on-one hit from a stampeding army. My vision is so focused I would not dare blink because I might miss something coming my way. There is no fear and no doubt in my mind that I will fight and win against those charging for me. I believe this is how God wants us to be when the Devil and all his schemes are approaching. We need to be dressed, braced, focused and confident that God’s strength is enough. And the good news is that His strength is enough. We will not lose when God is present on the battle field. The question we need to ask is, “Is He present?” If you have asked God to handle your battle, the next question is “Do you trust Him to win?” I was not so quick to answer that question this afternoon. But, God reminded me in Ephesians that He and I will win because I have on my full armor and the battle plan for victory. The battle plan is this:
1) Have confidence in Me (God, your Father), this is how you stand firm
2) I will reveal the Devil’s lies and schemes, this is the belt of truth that you wear
3) I will protect your heart and organs with Jesus, this is the breast plate of righteousness that you wear.
4) My Word will provide a covering and anchor for your feet, being planted in the Gospel
5) Have faith in me, this is your shield of faith
6) I have given you salvation, this is the helmet you wear
7) Use your sword, this is my Word
Dressed in your armor pray in the Spirit! “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words can not express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26-27
So claim it! Claim victory over your battle, right now because you have the battle plan. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realm with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Adoption Blessings
I had coffee with a new friend awhile back. We both thought it would be great to sit down and get to know one another since we had several things in common with each other. For instance, both of us had suffered years with infertility, our families were created through adoption and we are both Christian women-that's enough for me to start up a great friendship! As we talked and talked about our life experiences, we kept coming back to adoption and how much adoption had touched our lives. We also talked at length about our children's adoption stories, our Faith that got us to that point, but one thing that we talked at length about were people's reaction to the term or reality of "adoption." We were both amazed at the blinders people wear towards adoption. We both carried on and on with funny stories from strangers to in-laws reactions to our adopting, but one story in particular that my new friend told me I carry in my heart. Whether she knows it or not her little story has given me such joy and wonder when it comes to raising my adopted son. I have also come to understand God's love for us more and more through my experiences with adoption.
The story is short but it goes like this. My friend's daughter is a beautiful girl who is very talented in ballet. Her daughter was adopted from overseas, so it is very evident that they are not blood related. My friend talked about how she does not have the body built for ballet and had other interests growing up, but how she just loves watching her daughter dance though she has no dancing background from her childhood. She went on to talk about how she watches and laughs at all the mothers who get so upset and panicked over their daughters ballet and achievements-it is as if "they" are living through their children. These mothers did ballet, so their daughters must do ballet. She said you can see the stress on the mothers and daughters faces over this need to "do" ballet. But, my friend went on to describe how she doesn't have the need to make her daughter "do". She doesn't need to live through her daughter for she knows her daughter is different from her. Her daughter looks different, acts different and therefor has different talents-there are no shoes to fill or shoes to make fit.
Do you see the joy in that? Do you see her freedom in that? She gets to wait and see what wonderful traits and abilities develop in her daughter-not assumptions. She isn't consumed with,"Will Sarah like ballet like me, she must like ballet." or "Little Johnny's going to play football just like his dad." I now watch in wonder and amazement at how great my son is-and how different he is from his mom and dad. "Is this his talent?" "Maybe he would like this sport?" It is like our son is a big Christmas gift and as we unwrap the present (him) we get to see bits and pieces. We get to be excited because we still don't know what it is. I don't see where the excitement is in making our children be little clones of ourselves. I'm amazed at how people have a hard time dealing with that image and the unknown. People are insistent on wanting to know where my son got some of his red hair-I don't know I tell them.
Adoption reminds me of God and how we are adopted into his family. We are made in his image but how many different types of people do you know? How many different colors and nations of people are there, but we all belong to the same God and children in his family. Let's raise our children up as they should go-that is in the gifts God has given them and not our expectations of them. The blessing an adopted child brings is that they will continue blessing and surprising you their entire life!
A great link about adoption and God's family http://disciplethenations.org/article_adoption.html
The story is short but it goes like this. My friend's daughter is a beautiful girl who is very talented in ballet. Her daughter was adopted from overseas, so it is very evident that they are not blood related. My friend talked about how she does not have the body built for ballet and had other interests growing up, but how she just loves watching her daughter dance though she has no dancing background from her childhood. She went on to talk about how she watches and laughs at all the mothers who get so upset and panicked over their daughters ballet and achievements-it is as if "they" are living through their children. These mothers did ballet, so their daughters must do ballet. She said you can see the stress on the mothers and daughters faces over this need to "do" ballet. But, my friend went on to describe how she doesn't have the need to make her daughter "do". She doesn't need to live through her daughter for she knows her daughter is different from her. Her daughter looks different, acts different and therefor has different talents-there are no shoes to fill or shoes to make fit.
Do you see the joy in that? Do you see her freedom in that? She gets to wait and see what wonderful traits and abilities develop in her daughter-not assumptions. She isn't consumed with,"Will Sarah like ballet like me, she must like ballet." or "Little Johnny's going to play football just like his dad." I now watch in wonder and amazement at how great my son is-and how different he is from his mom and dad. "Is this his talent?" "Maybe he would like this sport?" It is like our son is a big Christmas gift and as we unwrap the present (him) we get to see bits and pieces. We get to be excited because we still don't know what it is. I don't see where the excitement is in making our children be little clones of ourselves. I'm amazed at how people have a hard time dealing with that image and the unknown. People are insistent on wanting to know where my son got some of his red hair-I don't know I tell them.
Adoption reminds me of God and how we are adopted into his family. We are made in his image but how many different types of people do you know? How many different colors and nations of people are there, but we all belong to the same God and children in his family. Let's raise our children up as they should go-that is in the gifts God has given them and not our expectations of them. The blessing an adopted child brings is that they will continue blessing and surprising you their entire life!
A great link about adoption and God's family http://disciplethenations.org/article_adoption.html
Monday, May 12, 2008
Mother's Day Blahs
To me the two hardest holidays for a woman who is experiencing infertility or pregnancy loss, or waiting to adopt are Christmas and Mother's Day. It seems at these holidays everything is about babies, children and family and Mother's Day deals a double-dose of the reality blahs. Let's be honest, these two holidays are reminders of a life that feels unattainable-the life of motherhood.
Okay...we've said our feelings out loud, felt sorry for ourselves and even felt guilty for the feelings we are experiencing yet our situation hasn't changed. What is next? ...Oh yeah, let's get angry about our situation. This is the emotional roller coaster we don't need to take! This road only leads to the blah's and you need to make an emergency exit before crashing completely. However you do have a choice to make once you've decided to get off the road to no-where-ville and that is, do I take a left or a right turn. A left turn it leads to bitterness, a right turn leads to Jesus. Which way will you turn?
You know what I'm talking about because you've met these two different types of people. Those who decided to take a left turn, walk around as if they are "bitter." Either the world or their family or God has just done them wrong. They choose to never get over it because everyday they wake up, think about their day, feel their saddness and carry their bitterness with them for all to feel and see. These people are miserable to themeselves and others around them.
OR...
You can take a right turn. This turn leads to Jesus. The person that chose to make a right turn instead wakes up everyday and thinks about their day, too. But they differ because when they feel their sadness they also give up their saddness. Apostle Paul writes,"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well feed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." In this verse Phillipians 4:12, Paul describes the secret to feeling content and that is only through Christ Jesus giving you strength. This means turning your pain, sorrows and bitterness over to God and asking for Him to give you strength to make it through your day. What you allow to occupy your thoughts will sooner or later determine your attitude. So let your thoughts lead to things that are not of self-pity and grife but instead thankfulness in everything-even hard times.
Okay...we've said our feelings out loud, felt sorry for ourselves and even felt guilty for the feelings we are experiencing yet our situation hasn't changed. What is next? ...Oh yeah, let's get angry about our situation. This is the emotional roller coaster we don't need to take! This road only leads to the blah's and you need to make an emergency exit before crashing completely. However you do have a choice to make once you've decided to get off the road to no-where-ville and that is, do I take a left or a right turn. A left turn it leads to bitterness, a right turn leads to Jesus. Which way will you turn?
You know what I'm talking about because you've met these two different types of people. Those who decided to take a left turn, walk around as if they are "bitter." Either the world or their family or God has just done them wrong. They choose to never get over it because everyday they wake up, think about their day, feel their saddness and carry their bitterness with them for all to feel and see. These people are miserable to themeselves and others around them.
OR...
You can take a right turn. This turn leads to Jesus. The person that chose to make a right turn instead wakes up everyday and thinks about their day, too. But they differ because when they feel their sadness they also give up their saddness. Apostle Paul writes,"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well feed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." In this verse Phillipians 4:12, Paul describes the secret to feeling content and that is only through Christ Jesus giving you strength. This means turning your pain, sorrows and bitterness over to God and asking for Him to give you strength to make it through your day. What you allow to occupy your thoughts will sooner or later determine your attitude. So let your thoughts lead to things that are not of self-pity and grife but instead thankfulness in everything-even hard times.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
My Spirit as a Garden
I would not normally share something so intimate with strangers, but I believe you are my sisters and I love sharing good and wonderful things with my sisters, especially what God lays on my heart. During my quiet time today, I prayed that the Holy Spirit show me what my spirit looked like as if it were a garden. I thought I was crazy to pray such a prayer. I might see lots of weeds and thorny bushes, but I was hoping for at least a pretty bush or two. As I prayed, a beautiful fragrant smell came to me. It was not too sweet but very delicate in nature. It reminded me of walking by a honeysuckle bush. Then I got a glimpse of a beautiful rose. It was light peach and pink in color with touches of yellow. I began to cry at its beauty. But then my eyes trailed down the rose and I saw the thorns on the stem. They resembled steps. I breathed in air and gasped slightly-my trials! Tears are streaming down my face now. The Holy Spirit began to reveal that these thorns were my past trials. "Look up the stem, what do you see?" I looked back up the stem and there was a beautiful rose that had bloomed open. I was in awe at this point. I suddenly desired Jesus to come and sit inside my garden for awhile and stay. I looked for a wooden bench for him to sit on? I've never thought of that before. Nor had I ever thought, "Is my garden a place where Jesus would want to sit and stay awhile?" That was my next prayer, "Holy Spirit are show me if there are any weeds or ugly thorny bushes I need to pull up. No one wants to sit inside an ugly garden. Holy Spirit help me build a beautiful garden and bench. I want my garden to be a beautiful place where Jesus and others would want to stay and talk for awhile. I thought of a beautiful place with constant beams of sunshine."
After this, I really began to think about what I was shown and what my thoughts were. I was recently told by a dear friend about a prayer called the Gardner's Prayer (I think that was the name). I'm sure that little seed she put in my ear was what prompted my prayer and I'm so thankful to God for her. Draw your own conclusions of my quiet time, but I know I'm going to get busy building a bench and yanking out weeds in my garden. It's not something I want to do-that is for sure! Gardening always sounds fun but it is hard work! It seems the more you dig the more you uncover and the dirtier and sweatier you get. But, it sure is nice to be able to sit back, admire the garden and invite friends over for a glass of lemonade or tea to enjoy all that you've accomplished. My next prayer will most likely be, "Lord, do I need a big tractor with a scoop or a shovel to get those thorny bushes and weeds out?" What I do know is that God will provide His mighty tools for such a big job.
After this, I really began to think about what I was shown and what my thoughts were. I was recently told by a dear friend about a prayer called the Gardner's Prayer (I think that was the name). I'm sure that little seed she put in my ear was what prompted my prayer and I'm so thankful to God for her. Draw your own conclusions of my quiet time, but I know I'm going to get busy building a bench and yanking out weeds in my garden. It's not something I want to do-that is for sure! Gardening always sounds fun but it is hard work! It seems the more you dig the more you uncover and the dirtier and sweatier you get. But, it sure is nice to be able to sit back, admire the garden and invite friends over for a glass of lemonade or tea to enjoy all that you've accomplished. My next prayer will most likely be, "Lord, do I need a big tractor with a scoop or a shovel to get those thorny bushes and weeds out?" What I do know is that God will provide His mighty tools for such a big job.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
New Perspective on Frustration
I mentioned in my last blog that I would write a few entries on this new book I've read called The Shack. If there was only one book I could recommend than this is it-and don't worry it is really thin! But, I have gotten a new perspective on the word "frustration"from reading this passage.
[God answering Mackenzie after he asked why not give up on us if we keep screwing up]
"Because that is what love does," answered Papa. "Remember Mackenzie, I don't wonder what you will do or what choices you will make. I already know. Let's say, for example, I am trying to teach you how not to hid inside of lies, hypothetically of course :-). And let's say that I know it will take you forty-seven situations and events before you will actually hear me-that is, before you will hear me clearly enough and change. So, when you don't hear me the first time I'm not frustrated or disappointed, I'm thrilled. Only forty-six more times to go. And that first time will be a building block to construct a bridge of healing that will one day-that being today-you will walk across."
This made me realize what human frustration and disappoint really were, not met "expectations." You can apply to any frustrating situation but since my stress point recently has been getting my toddler to go to sleep at night, I'll apply to that. I put my son to bed, expecting him to stay in bed. I get frustrated at the fact that he keeps getting out of bed. By the 6th time I walk into his room I'm starting to feel really frustrated, I'm expecting him to go to sleep now. Okay, nothing wronge with wanting your son to go to sleep. But, my expectation was that he would maybe only get out of bed twice and by the third time fall asleep, however, it is now the 7th time of walking into his room and I'm frustrated now. Now, let me apply the above "God" thought into this new scenario. I change my thoughts to I'm putting him to sleep and he will get out of bed many times, I don't know how many but he will eventually get tired and go to sleep. I am able to gently walk into his room thinking this is just one time closer to getting him to go to bed now and will help him in several weeks/months in going to bed on the first try. Does that make sense? Let me put into another perspective.
Does my love change for my son because he is not going to bed on the first, second or seventh try? Easy answer, no. God's love is the same, he doesn't have expectations for us or love us any less when we have strayed from him. Instead, he continues to gently whisper to us until we return to him. God knows our situation and our outcome. Though in my son's eyes I'm mean and horrible for him having go to sleep, I know that he will feel better in the morning with a good night's sleep and that it will be best for him in the long run. Though our trials and frustrations are hard and we don't understand them, God will use them and the choices we make for his ultimate good. They are our building blocks to the bridge of healing that gets us to Him.
[God answering Mackenzie after he asked why not give up on us if we keep screwing up]
"Because that is what love does," answered Papa. "Remember Mackenzie, I don't wonder what you will do or what choices you will make. I already know. Let's say, for example, I am trying to teach you how not to hid inside of lies, hypothetically of course :-). And let's say that I know it will take you forty-seven situations and events before you will actually hear me-that is, before you will hear me clearly enough and change. So, when you don't hear me the first time I'm not frustrated or disappointed, I'm thrilled. Only forty-six more times to go. And that first time will be a building block to construct a bridge of healing that will one day-that being today-you will walk across."
This made me realize what human frustration and disappoint really were, not met "expectations." You can apply to any frustrating situation but since my stress point recently has been getting my toddler to go to sleep at night, I'll apply to that. I put my son to bed, expecting him to stay in bed. I get frustrated at the fact that he keeps getting out of bed. By the 6th time I walk into his room I'm starting to feel really frustrated, I'm expecting him to go to sleep now. Okay, nothing wronge with wanting your son to go to sleep. But, my expectation was that he would maybe only get out of bed twice and by the third time fall asleep, however, it is now the 7th time of walking into his room and I'm frustrated now. Now, let me apply the above "God" thought into this new scenario. I change my thoughts to I'm putting him to sleep and he will get out of bed many times, I don't know how many but he will eventually get tired and go to sleep. I am able to gently walk into his room thinking this is just one time closer to getting him to go to bed now and will help him in several weeks/months in going to bed on the first try. Does that make sense? Let me put into another perspective.
Does my love change for my son because he is not going to bed on the first, second or seventh try? Easy answer, no. God's love is the same, he doesn't have expectations for us or love us any less when we have strayed from him. Instead, he continues to gently whisper to us until we return to him. God knows our situation and our outcome. Though in my son's eyes I'm mean and horrible for him having go to sleep, I know that he will feel better in the morning with a good night's sleep and that it will be best for him in the long run. Though our trials and frustrations are hard and we don't understand them, God will use them and the choices we make for his ultimate good. They are our building blocks to the bridge of healing that gets us to Him.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"I Will Use Every Choice You Make"
Have you ever read a book that profoundly altered your state of thinking? (Okay, I mean a book other than the Bible) I've read books that made me really think or ponder a thought, but I've never read a book that altered the way I thought and saw reality until recently. Someone merely suggested that I read, The Shack by William P. Young. They said they could not describe the book but only suggest that it be read, 'huh'? Being good timing, I was wanting to read a new book and why not take them up on their suggestion. I went to the bookstore grabbed a copy and began to read it with a strange and curious nature of what my friend meant.
Securely snuggled in my bed, I dove into the pages. I quickly came to understand my friends explanation. As I continued to read, I started to feel vulnerable and no matter how snuggled and safe I felt the words kept hitting me straight in the face or should I say heart. Excerpt from the book, [God answering Mackenzie's question] "There are millions of reasons to allow pain and hurt and suffering rather than eradicate them, but most of the reasons can only be understood within each person's story. I am not evil. You are the ones who embrace fear and pain and power and rights so readily in your relationships. But your choices are not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for ultimate good and loving outcome."
Smack in the face! Did you [God] just say that I embrace fear and pain and power and rights? Conversations I had in the past with God began to flood my mind. "I have a right to have children!," I would demand. "I have the right to be happy and have a family!" But, do I really have the right to anything? Did I not already have these things, or was it just that I had decided without these things I was abandoned or forsaken by God? I'm not rich, does that mean God is evil? I'm rich compared to others in other countries, did God abandon them and not me? Unfortunately, we are so self centered that we only see things from our own situation or circumstance. But, don't put too much condemnation and judgement on yourself yet, what was the next sentence? "But your choices are not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for ultimate good and loving outcome." So in other words, no worries! From the past, to present to your future God will use everything you do, good, bad or unintentional for His purposes and greater good. That doesn't sound like an evil God but a loving and merciful God. A God that I want to know because I ultimately want a good and loving life!
I think I'm going to write several blogs on things that caught me off-guard in this book, maybe or maybe not. But read this book for yourself and let God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit show you what they want to reveal to you. These are my issues and what has been revealed to me about me.
Securely snuggled in my bed, I dove into the pages. I quickly came to understand my friends explanation. As I continued to read, I started to feel vulnerable and no matter how snuggled and safe I felt the words kept hitting me straight in the face or should I say heart. Excerpt from the book, [God answering Mackenzie's question] "There are millions of reasons to allow pain and hurt and suffering rather than eradicate them, but most of the reasons can only be understood within each person's story. I am not evil. You are the ones who embrace fear and pain and power and rights so readily in your relationships. But your choices are not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for ultimate good and loving outcome."
Smack in the face! Did you [God] just say that I embrace fear and pain and power and rights? Conversations I had in the past with God began to flood my mind. "I have a right to have children!," I would demand. "I have the right to be happy and have a family!" But, do I really have the right to anything? Did I not already have these things, or was it just that I had decided without these things I was abandoned or forsaken by God? I'm not rich, does that mean God is evil? I'm rich compared to others in other countries, did God abandon them and not me? Unfortunately, we are so self centered that we only see things from our own situation or circumstance. But, don't put too much condemnation and judgement on yourself yet, what was the next sentence? "But your choices are not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for ultimate good and loving outcome." So in other words, no worries! From the past, to present to your future God will use everything you do, good, bad or unintentional for His purposes and greater good. That doesn't sound like an evil God but a loving and merciful God. A God that I want to know because I ultimately want a good and loving life!
I think I'm going to write several blogs on things that caught me off-guard in this book, maybe or maybe not. But read this book for yourself and let God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit show you what they want to reveal to you. These are my issues and what has been revealed to me about me.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Whew-Trials have an Expiration Date!
Trials come in many different shapes and forms. Trials can be relationship trials, trials within the workplace, trying to conceive trials, trials from loss of a loved one or miscarriage. I heard a very good sermon on 'How to Handle the Trials that We Face' and one sentence in particular gave me that "Alleluia" feeling when I heard it- "All trials have an end date!"
Whew...have you ever thought that a particular trial would last forever? Some trials last longer than others, but the good news is that they ALL have a date in which they will come to expire and end.
"A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalms 34:19
I find comfort that even the very worst of times/trials God has a time planned for deliverance. God flooded the earth and that time was for 150 days, then the waters dried up and the land was good. There was famine during Joseph's time and the famine lasted for 7 years. In Revelation, God has set 7 years to be the time of the tribulation, 3 1/2 years of peace and 3 1/2 years of hell on earth. He has a plan and end date for the trials we face, too.
God has a plan for both Christians and non-Christians. For Christians, his plan is to develop you further. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"to prepare God's people, . . .then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by cunning and craftiness of men . . ." Ephesians 4:12-15
For non-Christians God's plan is for you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. All through-out scripture God's tries to get our attention in many different ways, sometimes that is through blessings or sometimes through trials that come upon us. God pleads with us by sending his prophets, teachers and finally he sends his greatest messenger of all, his son, Jesus.
Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?...For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
other sources for handling trials and discouragement
verses of reference
Whew...have you ever thought that a particular trial would last forever? Some trials last longer than others, but the good news is that they ALL have a date in which they will come to expire and end.
"A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalms 34:19
I find comfort that even the very worst of times/trials God has a time planned for deliverance. God flooded the earth and that time was for 150 days, then the waters dried up and the land was good. There was famine during Joseph's time and the famine lasted for 7 years. In Revelation, God has set 7 years to be the time of the tribulation, 3 1/2 years of peace and 3 1/2 years of hell on earth. He has a plan and end date for the trials we face, too.
God has a plan for both Christians and non-Christians. For Christians, his plan is to develop you further. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
"to prepare God's people, . . .then we will no longer be infants tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by cunning and craftiness of men . . ." Ephesians 4:12-15
For non-Christians God's plan is for you to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. All through-out scripture God's tries to get our attention in many different ways, sometimes that is through blessings or sometimes through trials that come upon us. God pleads with us by sending his prophets, teachers and finally he sends his greatest messenger of all, his son, Jesus.
Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?...For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
other sources for handling trials and discouragement
verses of reference
- Genesis 7:24
- Genesis 41: 53-54
- Revelation 10: 9-10
- John 3: 11-17
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