Are you trusting Christ with the plan and purpose for your life? Do things SEEM to not go as expected or feel much harder at times than you think they should? We see repeatedly in Scripture where God’s people endure hardships. Sometimes they are a direct result of their own doing. Other times God allows situations of hardship to enter your life. In the midst of it all, we can trust our LOVING FATHER amidst the pain, pressures, and heartaches of this world.
At this years’ Heart Breakfast, we used the image of a diamond to illustrate how God uses pressure to mold, shape, and refine us into Christ’s image so that we may shine BRIGHTLY and bring Him GLORY! Pressure makes Perfect! This is an ongoing process. It begins with our justification. When the Holy Spirit opens our minds and hearts to the truth of the Gospel and Jesus Christ becomes Lord of our lives, a process of change begins. That process is called sanctification (to become more like Christ). This reality is what Paul refers the Philippians to: “He who began a good work in you WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6. Halleluiah and AMEN!
The truth of the cross is that we are seen by our Heavenly Father as perfect as Christ, the moment we believe in Him. The other incredible thing is that He doesn’t leave us as He found us. He gives us the incredible gift of His Holy Spirit to help us through the process. James 1:2 tells us to “consider it PURE JOY… whenever you face trials of many kinds.” This is not a feeling but a conscious choice that the Holy Spirit can cultivate in you. The joy will help us to PERSERVERE through the trial. James continues on in verse 4 to say, “Let perseverance FINISH ITS WORK so that you may be MATURE AND COMPLETE, not lacking in anything.”
God provided Linda Westover and Cydney Ballew to share their testimonies of how God has been working in their lives - how God has used hardships to draw them closer to Him. They showed the impact that these hardships have had on their identity in Christ and how they have opened opportunities for them to be used by God.
We all have a story and our stories continue to have more chapters added. Your life is not over. God has plans for you. In the end - the transformation will not leave you incomplete, but unbreakable. When you see a diamond be reminded of how unbreakable you are in Christ. You are seen as a beautiful radiant diamond as you reflect Christ. To God be the Glory!
Please, please, please tell us how God has been faithful to you through the pressures of life. How is He transforming you? Tell of His great work and glorify Him!! Share your story with me at JLBalkey@gmail.com . I promise not to share any of your responses without your explicit permission!
