We all have had bad days and weeks. Months, maybe even years. You know what I’m talking about… it seems like the whole universe has conspired against you because nothing goes right and finding even a glimmer of a silver lining is doable.
Those periods of time may prompt us to take a breather. I personally reach a point where I say, “that’s it. I quit. I’m gonna sit my butt in a chair and free up some space on the DVR he rest of the day.” My logic says it’s the only way I can make sure I won’t hurt myself or break something.
I also think God and the Devil know my propensity for self-seclusion in the wake of tedious frustration. God may be telling me it is time for a break. And I listen. But there are times when giving in is not what he expects. And doing so forces us to miss out on a lot… and it may just deprive him of Glory!
Trials may prompt time-outs in life – but sometimes giving up is the last thing you should do. In fact, sometimes, it deprives God of his glory. Photo Credit: Jackie.lck via Compfight cc
During Trials, we are to Persevere
In doing God’s kingdom building work, we certainly are expected to take rest… particularly on the Sabbath. However, there are times of trial where we are expected to do the very opposite. We are expected to pray, persevere and stay poised.
Here is a very recent example. In this example, I really think the Devil was trying to make me give up in the pursuit of doing God’s will. And yet, God didn’t knock down the obstacles being thrust at me. Instead, he expected I would persevere in my faith. He further expected a committed prayer life and even the seeking of a community of prayers from other folks in my life.
It begins with the decision to pursue more information, training and certification as a Chalmers Center Faith & Finances Facilitator. The event was being held near Nashville, TN, which is a long haul from my Indiana home. After batting the idea around for a while, I finally registered.
About one month before the training was to start, the other person whom I had planned to drive down with dropped out, leaving me with the prospects of a long solo journey. In contacting the Chalmers Center for a refund of that registration, it was learnt that the check was never received. I thought about dropping but chose to stay with my commitment. The check was found and my registration was complete.
During the four-week online training, I had a brutal personal schedule that made keeping up and participating activity in the forums a challenge. Still, I soldiered on. Then, a week before the in-person training was to begin, I developed a sore throat and cough. I saw a doctor on Monday and was feeling ao but 90% on Wednesday. However, while at my oldest daughter’s spring program at school, I must have sat next to someone who had recently mown their lawn or was wearing too much perfume/cologne, as I experienced and allergy attack that left me sniffling, sneezing and draining the rest of the night.
The next day, Thursday, I was drained. I was thankful I had planned to take that day off to do last-minute packing and get everything in order. Unfortunately, a critical function that I needed to complete at work could not be done the day before and could not be done from home as I had hoped. So I jetted into the office for a couple of hours and got it done before heading home.
As I was rushing to get the final things complete, I reached into my travel bag to check for my toothbrush. If found it, but not before finding a razor that had lost its cover. Yes, I cut my finger. Badly. It bled and bled and bled. And Bled. In fact, I think I almost needed stitches.
Despite the obstacles, we finally got on the road. About two hours into the drive, we began having multiple traffic delays that ultimately added about two hours to our drive time.
See what I mean? It was one thing after another. Every moment leading up to this training was a trial and filled with a lot of frustration. I wanted to give up many times. In fact, there were many moments where I saw a way out, and almost took it each time. But I am glad I persevered instead.
The four weeks of training that led up to the in-person training, provided the good fortune to interact with many individuals from many states who were also pursuing certification. I learned a lot, grew much and gleamed many insights I would be able to utilize in future efforts at work, in life and with my church.
The relationships formed in the process are amazing. When we all met in person, we pretty much already knew each other quite well and were able to avoid so much of that uncomfortable ice breaker stuff. We were instead able to get right to work.
At the end of the two days of training, we had developed many new perspectives of our goals, gained new insights into how we might apply different ideas and approaches in implementing the Faith & Finances training in our local communities and more.
Also, with the relationships we’d formed, we have accountability partnerships and continual networking opportunities to keep our programs fresh, relevant and capable of being successful at positively impacting the lives of so many others throughout our nation and world.
Had I not chosen to persevere, God would have been deprived
None of that would have been possible without perseverance. And, because of the trials, not only is the accomplishment more personally satisfying, it also gives me a stronger assurance that we’re heading for something super impactful in our church and community at large.
If you’re in the Northeast Indiana area and want to learn more or get involved in the future efforts of Faith & Finances in our community (or go through the program as a participant), please let me know. Also, if you would like to know more about it… get a first-hand experience from yours truly, let me know that too.
Continue to persevere
I’d like to say the training was the conclusion of the misfortunes but that isn’t true. We stayed an extra night rather than drive home in the dark and so I could spend some away time with the family. That was a great blessing, but the journey home was driven almost 100% in the rain with limited visibility at times.
It goes to show that even though God is with us and He is glorified through the work we do for his kingdom, our sojourn will never be without storms. Learn from those storms. Trust in God and he will get you home.