STRENGTH THROUGH TRIALS
- Key Verse
"The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them." (Psalm 11:4)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God is in charge. He sees all that happens. He is in control.
Reflections
David's life was filled with adversity. When Saul (his boss) tried to kill him, David's friends said, "Flee like a bird . . ." (v. 1). They described enemies in the dark with arrows ready to shoot from all sides.
God had not told David to leave, however, and he remained steadfast. The rest of this psalm is David's proclamation that God is in control. God taught David to rely on Him through adversity. Only when God instructed him did David leave Saul's household.
My trials began in September of 2004 when I was diagnosed with melanoma. By January the doctors had removed three melanoma lesions, and I began a year of chemotherapy. There was no place to run and hide, for the enemy was within my own body. Then five months later, the chemo had to be stopped early. The medication had apparently destroyed my inner ear, leaving me so unbalanced that I could not even walk.
I could never be brave enough to seek trials or suffering, but from the outset I was convinced that God was working through this challenge to strengthen me. Our Real Life Group rallied around us, driving me to the many doctor appointments and balance therapy sessions. They provided all kinds of services that I previously would have had a hard time accepting. God's assurance was not necessarily that I would be healed, but that He was in control, and He was using this experience to bring about good. I have learned that the same God who permits these trials also dispenses the courage to overcome them.
I have been cancer-free for five years. Unless the rapture comes in my lifetime, other trials are certainly ahead. But God has blessed me immeasurably in restoring my health. Again I can run. I enjoy hiking and camping. I am no longer allowed on the roof of our house, but that really wasn't much fun anyway.
Discussion Questions
1. Bad advice from friends seems to be a frequent theme in the Scriptures. Have you ever received advice that was unbiblical? Are you careful to ensure that those you counsel get only Spirit-led instruction?
2. How do you look upon trials? Do you accept the assertion that "bad things happen to good people"? Have you ever felt that somehow God was treating you unfairly?
3. Think of a time of hardship in your life. Perhaps you can see positive results and increased faith that came directly from this situation. It is not always apparent, so it is an even greater blessing when God reveals this to us while we are experiencing it.
randy
January 14, 2010 08:14 PM
thank you Charlie for sharing the trial you went through and how God brought you through that trial! And thankful that God is in control... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQHlKc8DrB4&feature=related
Rick Austin
January 15, 2010 05:38 AM
Great insight into adversity and I loved the "teaser" in your introduction, "Five years ago I had a chance to find out." Fabulous!
Chip Smith
January 15, 2010 06:07 AM
It is so good to hear about your recovery, Charlie, and that you are still cancer free. My sister did not survive cancer and graduated to be with the LORD in November, 2006. It was a shocking and sometimes numbing experience for me to watch her go through her chemo. The bravery I saw in her as I stayed with her during her sessions at the American Cancer Center was incredible. Psalm 11:1 reminds me of her during that time. Through it all, she never lost her trust in the LORD to protect her and stay with her. Her faith inspired everyone at the Center, both employee and patient. I have seen first hand what it is like to go through what you did and just like my sister, you gave God the credit for the courage to go through it all. Yours and my sister's testimony encourages me today and reminds me that God is my refuge. Have a great weekend.
Keith Tooley
January 15, 2010 08:27 AM
Your message today is timely for me, Charlie. During this time of unemployment, God is teaching and refining me - showing me new things about myself and my relationship with Him. I, too, had not suffered much to this point. Now I am grateful that God has taken me to a place where I am forced to depend on Him, and wait on Him. I can't fix this one. I need Him to be in control. And the funny thing is that He has always been in control, and I am living out His plan. How could cancer or unemployment be part of His plan? I am learning the answer to that question. Praise God!
Casey
January 15, 2010 08:39 AM
Thank you Charlie for your reminder today that God is in control! I rejoice with you about your recovery! I had to chuckle about your comment that going on the roof 'wasn't much fun anyway'. You are a wonderful example of looking at things with a different, more positive and eternal perspective. God bless you!
Laurie Carlson
January 15, 2010 09:56 AM
Thank you Charlie for living out this psalm before our eyes. Paul and I have watched you face this trial gracefully, and walk through multitudes of difficult trials with your Realife Group. When the going got tough, you just kept going. We count it a privilege to be your friends, might I even say, "your favorite pastor and his wife"!
Bob A. King
January 15, 2010 01:02 PM
Charlie, your outstanding personality shines through your excellent devotional today as you tied personal experiences with God's word. Your thought-provoking questions were also outstanding. My friend, God used you in a powerful way today.
Beckye Estill
January 15, 2010 01:47 PM
Charlie, thanks for this great devotional! What a comfort to have the assurance that God is in control of our circumstances and suffering. And His grace is abundantly available. Great encouragement! So glad you are cancer-free!
Denise Burns
January 15, 2010 04:49 PM
What a wonderful devotion to JTJ!! So happy to hear that you are cancer-free! What a blessing!
Nancy
January 16, 2010 10:38 AM
Charlie, How your sharing blesses me this morning! Five years cancer free -- Praise His Holy Name!!!! I am waiting to be able to say the same about my daughter's journey. She is 6 months cancer free, but as you point out, God is in control, and we leave our fears and worries at the foot of Jesus' cross! I wish I had joined your RLG a year earlier, so I could have been a part of those wonderful loving friends that supported you in your time of need!
Eileen Rider
January 16, 2010 01:11 PM
Thank you, Charlie, for sharing your story. I don't even know you, but you have encouraged me today and reminded me that God is always in control. I have also forwarded your testimony to a good Christian friend who is going through a real trial with health issues right now. You have given an excellent example of what can be called "faithbooking," which is looking back over our lives and seeing how God was at work "behind the scenes," bringing good from the trials He allows us to go through. Gratefully, Eileen