"Don't tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.
He is eager to relent and not punish."
~Joel 2:13
Instead of getting angry at trials and burdens let us remember that our Lord is filled with unfailing love, let us repent and search our own hearts and trust that He is eager not to punish us.
The Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts" (verse 12). I believe that when the trials come, no matter how terrible, we should come to Christ and show him even our hearts' evil ways, transparent in repentance. Clean out your heart and turn your back to sin, go to Him and he will forgive.
"Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with
faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." ~1Timothy 6:11
The Lord has been impressing in my heart to seek His ways more and more. Everyday I am reminded to live a godly life; to pursue righteousness, to have faith in Him and in His decisions for my life; to love with His love and look into people's eyes with loving eyes. To persevere in searching for His will in my daily tasks. To be more gentle, especially with my children.
I pray that He will increase my hunger for Him even more. And no matter how many things I must go through, I will remind myself of Job, and his response when he had lost everything...
"I came naked from my mother's womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!" ~Job 1:21
And even after he was struck with an illness, even the devil thought he'd curse the name of the Lord. Yes, he went through his struggling mind as he felt the pain of sickness but I grab on to the promise of God where he was told the following:
“But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.
He will once again fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.
~Job 8:21-21
God restored Job and his health and family more than ever before...
"Job lived 140 years after that, living to see four generations
of his children and grandchildren. 17
Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, full life."
~Job 42:16
