God knows all our secrets, but He lovingly waits for us to reveal them to Him.

For God to answer prayers He must hear prayers.

OUR TROUBLES CAN BE HELPFUL

Our troubles can be helpful because they (1) humble us, (2) wean us from the allurements of the world and drive us back to God, (3) vitalize our prayers, (4) allow us to experience more of God’s faithfulness, (5) make us more dependent upon God, (6) encourage us to submit to God’s purpose for our lives, and (7) make us more compassionate toward others in trouble.

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OBSTACLES ARE NECESSARY

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening

appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

     Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.

     I asked for strength: and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

     I asked for wisdom: and God gave me problems to solve.

     I asked for prosperity and God gave me brain and brawn to work.

     I asked for courage and God gave me danger to overcome.

     I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.

     I received nothing I wanted: I received everything I needed!

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THE FALLACY

Once we resolve to obey God completely, it’s easy to assume that life will go more smoothly. When it does, we think this proves that we’re in God’s will. If we run into obstacles, however, we’re apt to conclude that both we and what we’re doing are out of God’s will. Rather than question our measuring stick, we question our dedication, and sometimes even God.

Consider your spiritual gifts and goals. Do you believe they’re from God when they flourish but question them when they lead to difficulties? Don’t be fooled by the fallacy that life will be easy if you obey God. God doesn’t remove difficulties; He uses them for your good and for His glory.

THE DIFFICULTIES IN OUR LIVES,

THE OBSTACLES WE FACE,

GIVE GOD THE OPPORTUNITY

TO SHOW HIS POWER AND GRACE

SMOOTH SEAS DON’T MAKE SKILLFULL SAILORS

  Our Daily Bread 3/11/98

Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, ‘Don’t be scared, you’ll get your quilt.’ Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning’s Sunday school lesson was about. He said ‘Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.’