II Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but a the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Besides Psalm 121 this scripture above is a favorite scripture of mine.
Even when it is not well with our circumstance, it can be well, very well, with our soul. A few years ago I was introduced to a concept I had not heard before. It is called Spectator Grace. Spectator Grace is grace that is poured into the life of those that have to watch those that they love going through hard, pressing circumstances. These are the ones that sometimes actually hurt worse than those that are personally going through the circumstance. Why do I say this? Well, if those that are going through the trial are leaning into the grace of God and allowing themselves to be held by the hands of God, then they are given the sufficient grace to bear under the load which they bear. God will never put more on an individual than what can be tolerable. It certainly doesn't feel like that at times but, nevertheless, it's true. With that being said, Spectator Grace is needed for those that are close by so that they too may be able to withstand their burden for us.
Whatever we go through in this life is temporal. It is not meant to stay. It's not forever. God may never change certain circumstances, for it just might be that the circumstance is just the thing that makes us long for Heaven more. Circumstance is temporary, the soul is eternal.
I am thankful that I can know He is working out a far greater weight of glory than the weights that so easily beset me. God can change circumstances if He wants to, but I'm pretty certain He will not remove it until He sees that the circumstance has changed us into more of the reflection He would like to see in us. Whatever we go through He works it all for good. Trials are not put upon us to define us, they are put upon us to refine us.
Rest in the sufficient grace. Don't resist. One of the differences in the two words of Rest and Resist is, "I". "I don't like this....", "I think this ____ is unfair", "I don't want this ___". "I, I, I, I, I...". If we get "I" out of the way then we are able to rest in His grace.
Even though on the outside it often looks as if things are falling apart, on the inside, where God is working, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the joy that is coming! We will not give in and quit. How could we?!
If you wait for the circumstance to change before feeling the need to sing, you just may never sing. Don't ever give in to the devil's goal for you...plug into the eternal energy source called Grace, allow the Light to shine in the darkness. You will feel renewed day by day by day...
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