Paul withstood the tests that came at him while he was active in service to the Lord and he understood the tests that came during his times of solitude while in captivity. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
Our trials are great opportunities for growth and maturity, but all too often we simply see them as large obstacles we need to overcome. Often we want a quick rescue or fix to the problem.
If only we would see every difficult situation as something God has chosen and allowed in order to prove His love for us and to mold is into His image.
So, how does God want us to respond when circumstances become hard or difficult?
1. We choose to trust God is at work.
Someone who I highly respect (Graham) often says, "God allows in His wisdom what He could prevent by His power". In all seasons we walk through as a leader, God is moving. He is working to not only advance His Kingdom through us but He is also working to mold us and shape us into His likeness.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3 NIV
- So, what is the trial before us today?
- What is the circumstance that is spinning us into fear, worry, or anxiety?
- If this trial is being allowed to happen then God must be up to something? Like Job, God must be doing something behind the scenes.
- Are we choosing to trust Him no matter what our day or our circumstances brings?
- Are we willing to still ourselves in order to see and hear what God wants to reveal to us through the circumstances?
"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 NIV
- Do we know what fruit of the Spirit God is weaving into our character through these trials?
- Love? patience? long-suffering? joy? peace? humility? meekness?
- What is lacking in our hearts due to our present circumstances?
- Faith? trust? confidence?
I know for me, being in a season of waiting on the Lord concerning ministry is showing me that I lack joy. I can have a tremendous amount of joy when thrust into the midst of ministry; when I am actively building the kingdom of God. But in seasons of waiting and in seasons of solitude (or what feels like captivity) I find that I lack joy and trust in God's timing. I lack the heart that "rejoices always".
God is allowing our circumstances for a variety of reasons. We must choose to trust Him and His goodness towards us, We must look deeper to see the work God is desiring to do in us and through us.
2. We choose to surrender to the Lord and allow the season to do it's work in us.
No matter what trials are around us, we have to move towards complete surrender to Him and to His will. We must come to a place of knowing and understanding what God is desiring to do in us by allowing our circumstances to prevail. This way we can cooperate with His Spirit, and the work of transformation that He desires to do in us.
We must come to a place of surrender, as Job did, when he said, "though He slay me, yet will I put my hope in Him". This is the place of surrender. To where we lay down the fight and the struggle in our hearts. Where we see those difficult people as ones God has placed into our lives as grace growers. To help mold us into the image of Christ. We must stop fighting the process and allow God's Spirit to transform us. (I am saying this to my own heart too)!
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." Job 13:15 NIV
This is the place where we bow down in our hearts and say, "not my will but yours be done". We all have a tendency to want things our way. It is part of our fallen nature, our desire to see things done the way we think they should be done. But in reality, if God is allowing circumstances to prevail, then we must ask the hard questions:
- God, what do you want to do in my heart?
- How do you want me to respond like you in this?
- How can I bring represent you well in this circumstance?
We must learn to move in the opposite spirit to those trials if we are to become like Him.
So often, God's will runs contrary to our thoughts, our ways and our perceptions. Often the path to His will, involves suffering, pain and persecution. Our flesh wants it the easy way, without struggle, without difficulty, without any relational conflict. But, this is not necessarily God's way.
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 NIV
When Jesus was preparing to go to the cross, a place of intense pain and suffering, Peter wanted the opposite for Jesus. I am sure Peter in his heart wanted what was best for Jesus. However, it was not God's will. God's will for Jesus was for him to suffer, to die so that we all might be saved. God's way involved suffering and a cost (Philippians 3:7-11).
One of the things that often bothers me when I hear people teaching on destiny and calling, is they often tell people to go serve in the areas they are most gifted and passionate in. However, I have seen these people miss an important element in their teaching. God's will and obedience. At times, God asks us to serve or to give in an area of our greatest weakness. At times, God asks us to lay down everything we love or want to do for the sake of Him and His Kingdom. He asks us to do something that is so contrary to what we desire or want. This involves discerning of His will and surrender.
Surrender to God's will is a daily thing. Daily we must get on our knees and profess with our mouths "not my will but yours be done", and we must walk through the challenges of our day and allow God to use them to mold us into His image.
We must allow that fruit of His Spirit to weave it's way into our hearts; where we become more and more like Him.
For me, this season of waiting on God's plans and purposes means the weaving of joy into my heart. That no matter where I am, nor what season I am in, my heart is overflowing with joy because I am His beloved daughter and He is always pleased with me. Both in failure and success, and in times of active service and in times of solitude, His goodness always surrounds me. And in Him, I can rejoice always!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4 NIV
- So, where are you lacking in trust?
- Where are you struggling to surrender?
- What fruit of the Spirit is God trying to weave into your heart through your trials or those difficult people in your life?
- Do you see your circumstances and trials as an opportunity for growth?
- Or are you fighting and just want to be rescued?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Lord,
I pray for your leaders everywhere, that you would strengthen them and prepare them to do what you've called them to do. For those leaders who are weak and overwhelmed by their circumstances or trials, God help them to see your hand in it, and help them to know what it is that you are desiring to do. Give them great wisdom to know how to respond to the tests that assail them. Both the tests that come in active service to you and the tests that come in captivity and solitude. Lord, speak to your leaders and guide them. Help them to lead others well. To lead with transparency, authenticity, humility and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
Lord, as a leader, what do we do when we feel the sense that the lights are out for more than a night? When we feel as though we are walking through a dark tunnel and we can not see any end, any light, or any glimmer of you? What do we do when our season of testing or trials or difficult circumstances never seem to end?
What do we do, when the times we had with you, which were intimate, sweet, and you seem to surround us and then it vanishes like the night? And it is whisked away in a moment? What do we do Lord, when all we ever have known seems to fade away, and we are left alone. Alone with ourselves and our heart.
Will we be choose to be still? To know you? To peer within the walls of our heart to see and know what you are doing? Will we allow the season of darkness to do it's work in us, or will we shut down internally and avoid this most precious season. A true gift from God. Will we allow ourselves to be still in the darkness and wait on God, or we will try to find a way to avoid the darkness that plagues us. Will we allow God to guide us?
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
We wander in the tunnel, looking for something to hold onto. Something to grab. A wall, a railing. Our hearts always want something to cling onto. We were made for relationship. We were made for love. We want something. Oh Lord, allow this season to bring us into stillness. To the place where we wait on you, to meet with you face to face. To talk to you about the deep things of the heart. (Psalm 27)
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8
It is in this darkness and in this tunnel where faith is perfected. Faith is fortified. Faith grows. Where a small oak tree becomes a mighty one. It is when everything we hold dear is taken from us, it is when our faith is tested and the question rises up - will God alone be enough? Is He my only desire?
Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. Psalm 73:25
Will I trust Him to continue to be faithful and good even when I do not see Him? Will I trust Him like Job, that even if He chooses to slay me, will I choose to put my hope and trust in Him alone?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Will I trust Him to deliver me in His timing and in His way? Will I trust that God knows what is best for me? Will I trust that if He is allowing this season of darkness, will I know it is for my good and for the good of the Kingdom and those He has called me to lead?
Will I allow this season to grow my character into His image? Will I allow Him the opportunity to probe into my heart and heal the places of pain, of rejection, of betrayal, of shame, of fear, of self-condemnation and discouragement? Oh Lord, this place of leadership can be so lonely. So hard. Who is trustworthy? Will I come out of these ashes and blossom, or will I stay withered under this dust?
Will I offer myself up to God in the dark tunnel? Will I surrender to His perfect will? Will I surrender to the season and stop wrestling with it in my spirit? Will I let God, by faith, take me by the hand in the darkness and lead me on? Even though I have no idea where He is taking me? Will I allow myself to go, with no idea of the future? Will I allow myself to rest in the midst of this season of winter? Will I have the will to push through the lies that assail my heart that say God is not trustworthy, that He is not faithful?
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16
No Lord! It is in those moments when our hearts must rise up and say I will choose to hope in God alone. I will choose to praise His holy name! I will choose to be His faithful servant. To love others and to lead well. I will choose to live transparently with others. I will choose to grab His hand, and wait patiently for His leading.
I will choose to trust people even though the pain of betrayal still sits like residue in my heart. I will offer up my pain to you Lord. I will let you touch the hidden parts of my heart. I will choose to forgive those who have hurt me and move forward in love and offering my life up as a sacrifice to you and for the sake of others.
I will give my life for the sake of your Kingdom. I will choose to find a friend and share my journey with them. You have created us for intimate community. Yes, even as leaders, we were made to walk in authentic community with one another. To share life. To laugh together. To cry together. To pray together. To war together. We need to be armor bearers for one another when the warfare increases. We must resist the enemies two biggest temptations that assails a leader: to isolate and go it alone!
It is in this season we must choose to rest and by faith trust when God's presence and His voice seem absent. We can rest knowing that the season of the wilderness or what some might call a winter is only for a season. We can rest knowing it is only a chapter in a large book. The pages will soon turn and we will be in spring.
Lord, it is in this place we have to choose hope, we have to choose you. As leaders, we have to go to war against the lies of the enemy which would tell us that God has abandoned us and forsaken us. The lies that whisper to us saying God does not love us nor care about us. We have to throw off the sin, the lies, the snares that try to entangle us (Heb 12:1-2). Let us find rest and our hope in God alone!
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
Oh Lord, why do we, in our human condition blame you? Why do we equate successes or failures to your love for us? Why do we equate the praise or rejection of man to your love for us? Why do we fall into the trap of people pleasing and allow shame and fear come upon us? Help us Lord, to shake off all that hinders us so we can run the race you have marked out for us. Come Lord, and empower your leaders. Oh Lord, help save us from our human condition of unbelief and doubt. Help us to move from being Christian Atheists, to those who are making huge ripples for your sake. Allow these seasons of darkness to shape us into being great leaders of faith, of hope, of courage and of compassion.
Oh Lord. Help all of us today, especially those leaders who are struggling through a season of darkness, or a winter. Lord, I know this tunnel and I have walked this prayer many times with you. Help them to find you in the midst of it. To let go of the struggle to grab onto anything besides you. Help them to have faith, when faith can't be found. Help them to know you are after their heart. You are after the growing and fortifying of their faith. Let them have hope that when they rise out of this season they will have grown into a mighty, strong oak. A weapon that has been fashioned by your hands (Psalm 18). For the winds have blown and caused their roots to grow deep down into you. Help them to take your hand today!
Lord, if faith is truly is about trusting in what is unseen, then how can faith grow if you are always there and if things always go the way we want them to go? Faith needs soil to grow and mature. Darkness is an incubator for faith; it acts as fertilizer in the soil. For in those moments we have to choose to believe when everything around us denies the reality of God and His faithfulness.
We have to choose hope, faith and love and keep on walking through the tunnel. We must not get off the train. We must not walk away from our faith or our calling.
We have to trust that just as winter comes to an end, and spring flowers come back, so too, will this season be like a moment. Soon, we will be back up and we will look back and see how God used that tunnel to refine us with His goodness and perfected us in His love. All for the sake of others and for the world who is so lost without Him.
Well, it is official! As of October 1, 2010 Perissos Institute became a legal 501c3 non-profit organization.
Back in early spring of 2010, I was in a place of transition concerning ministry. During this time of transition, the Lord blessed me with being able to work with a life coach. He began to help me dive into the depths of my heart to uncover the passion within my heart.
In this journey with him, one of the first exercises we did, was to take some time to write down all the Scripture passages where the Lord spoke to my heart and called me into the ministry. As I pondered God's Word and those verses, John 10:10 kept coming to me.
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows, greek word is Perissos). John 10:10
My heart is to see leaders thriving and overflowing with the abundant life of Jesus!
With the birthing of Perissos, it feels like one big birthday present! It will be fun to see what unfolds in the months ahead. I look forward to partnering with, working for, and working along other ministries to equip and empower God's leaders for the advancement of the Gospel!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PERISSOS!
