Changes

A woman is never quite the same after pregnancy, and birthing a baby. Her life (physically and in every other way) is forever changed.

So it is with trials.

I could go on for weeks on this topic but this will be my last post. Many excellent theological books, hymns and biographies have been written to equip believers to be spiritually prepared to face trials and to comfort believers who are presently living in trial. I want to encourage everyone to get hold of books like: Knowing God, by J.I. Packer; Be Still My Soul - 25 Classic and Contemporary Reading on the Problem of Pain, edited by Nancy Guthrie); The God I Love - a memoir, by Joni Eareckson Tada; and Beside Still Waters - devotional readings on comfort, by Charles Spurgeon. These are just a few of the many book written that will strengthen a heart that is hurting with the solid truths of God's word.

But these are the best words which help bring into perpective the changes God has in mind for the believer facing trials:

Therefore, since we have been justified (free from God's wrath), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:1-5).

What have you been reading that God has used to help change you (for good) in your trial? How is God preparing you for future trial? I'd love to know.