On Trial

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Soon after my diagnosis with ALS in October 2019 I received a text from a friend that said:

“I know God can use this trial, as he did with Job, to show the universe that He is a righteous God…that He is love and that He also will carry you through. No pressure here, but the whole universe is watching!…”

No pressure here?! LOL Unfortunately I can’t say I’ve always shown a very good picture of God’s power through trial to a watching universe. The picture I give is sometimes marred, especially before my family and those I’m closest to. Trials are heavy to bear at times and having ALS is not an easy load.

You may have heard it said that God will not give us more than we can handle. But, how does that work out practically in my life? When I feel like I’m going to faint under my load can I shake my fist at God and say, “Wait, God you said you wouldn’t give me more than I can handle and I’m failing here!! What is happening?” Last week I was listening to a sermon on AudioVerse (they have many good ones!) and the speaker mentioned a quote on this topic that stepped all over my toes!

Our Heavenly Father measures and weighs every trial before He permits it to come upon the believer. He considers the circumstances and the strength of the of the one who is to stand under the proving and test of God, and He never permits the temptations to be greater than the capacity of resistance. If the soul is overborne, the person overpowered, this can never be charged to God, as failing to give strength in grace, but the one tempted was not vigilant and prayerful and did not appropriate by faith the provisions God had abundantly in store for him.  Christ never failed a believer in his hour of combat.  The believer must claim the promise and meet the foe in the name of the Lord, and he will not know anything like failure. Mind, Character and Personality, vol. 2 p. 473.2.

Did you hear that?! If I am failing under my trial it is not God’s fault, but I have not been prayerful and vigilant to by faith experience the provisions God has in store for me!! I am not putting myself in a position to be strong if I am not fortifying myself by spending time in His Word and in prayer. 

This week I have been memorizing Psalm 3:1-3. Talk about powerful! I especially like the part in verse 2 that says that the Lord is a shield for me and and the “Lifter up of my head”! Isn’t that a beautiful word picture? 

I experienced that power practically a few days ago when I was having a brief meltdown and I suddenly had the thought, “Wait, He is my Shield and Strength, He can lift my head.”  It was almost like God reached down with a tissue, wiped my tears, tilted my head up to look at Him and gave me instant peace. Praise Him! I know it wasn’t me.

I challenge you to put God to the test! When Satan is weighing you down, your head is dropping in despair and you know you’re “on trial” (in more ways than one) fight back!  You can claim the promises as yours, watch the enemy run in defeat and let your loving Savior be the Lifter of your head.