Second Verse Same As the First

It occurred to me after writing Foggy Mountain Discovery a few weeks ago how similar the principles given for finding God’s direction are to the trials of life. It’s a “second verse same as the first” perspective. Indulge me in a rewrite of the original post to make my point.

While traveling through Pennsylvania last fall we crossed over a foggy mountain and came face to face with the unexpected difficulty of driving through a huge storm. Just ahead of us the tail lights of an 18 wheeler became our guide. With steering wheel gripped tightly, my concentration remained fixed on those lights until we were finally out of it. What a trial that was and what a relief to get through it.

Unexpected storms can be scary. It can be as equally scary when dealing with the personal storms of life – loss of job, unrealistic expectations, difficulties in marriage, unreasonable teacher, strained relationships, failing health, financial burdens, church problems, disappointment.

Recently I have discovered the benefit of trials. Because of the storms, the problems I begin a journey of seeking the face of God – lingering, enjoying, acknowledging, worshiping, wrestling, listening, surrendering, returning. In the end it increases our intimacy together and gives me an opportunity to walk by faith. And those benefits are more valuable than storehouses of gold.

I have further discovered that in the difficult times as I seek God, He intervenes with - godly counsel, a specific Scripture, an unexpected encouragement, patience, His shepherding, unexplainable peace, praying friends, a new perspective, just the right book. Seldom does a trial go away overnight, but instead it’s a one step at a time journey that eventually leads to change in us and maybe a change in our circumstances too.

Sometimes we will become discouraged and fail to see God’s hand in these gentle interventions. That’s okay. We’re all human enough to become discouraged during the trials of life, and He is gracious enough to continually send encouragement ….multiple times. We so want life to be trial free, but life doesn’t work that way, neither does the integration of the spiritual life. Both can be messy. Thankfully we have a God who understands the messiness, the storms of difficulty and our need to discover Him in the process.

Makes me wonder how many other life themes fit within the principle of seeking His face, walking by faith, and recognizing His hand at work.