Over the last few months, I've had many different tests done to determine why I'm having the problem that I'm having in my foot. For those of you who don't know, I sprained my ankle back in October, but during the healing process, my ankle and foot started to become ICE cold. Like, seriously cold. At times, it would burn because it was so cold. Since we ruled out the cold weather being a factor in the coldness of my foot since spring has sprung, my doctors took time to do a number of tests that sort of lead from one thing to another.
While I'm still in the mist of this sort of puzzling process, I had to have another test done today. Now, doctors and tests especially make me nervous and cause me anxiety. I've been praying about this test that I had done today, and quite honestly have been worked up with anxiety about it. I know that God is good, and that He is able to do anything beyond what I could ask, seek or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21), but I still felt anxious.
On my way to the doctor today, I was jamming out to Hawk Nelson's new CD, (which is a great CD, by the way, you should check it out), and one of their songs called, "Count On You" came on. I've heard this song quite a few times before, but this time, the words really made me stop and think, and it was something that I pondered and prayed to God about even while I was in my test. The lyrics are as follows:
You give me front row seats to Your faithfulness, A spotlight shining on Your promises
Some people, Christians included, wonder why we have to go through the certain things in life that we do. Trials, hardships, disappointments, they are all hard things, and if we had the choice, they are things that we would probably choose to avoid. However, in God's perfect sovereignty, He allows His children to go through things that make us feel a little like wandering through a dry desert with no water, if you know what I mean.
We go through these things, because if we don't, how would we ever know that God is good? How would we ever attest to His power? How would we ever learn to rely on Him and lean on Him daily? These were the things I was praying through during my test.
I can guarantee you, that no matter what you're going through, God is in control, and He knows what He is doing. He is with you, always (Matthew 28:20). In order to see God's faithfulness and to experience the fullness and richness of God's promises, God has to take us through the waves and storms of life. In the end, we will look back, wearing the crown promised to those who hold on tight to God through tribulation, and we will see that time after time, God is good, and was and is perfectly working things out for our good (Romans 8:28), His glory, and the ultimate victory.
Everything that we've gone through is part of our story, a part of our testimony. We now have a story to tell others about the greatness of God, and our relationship with the One True King will be strengthened after all we've gone through in ways that would be unimaginable if we had not gone through them.
James 1:12 is one of my favorite verses, and one of my favorite promises found in God's word. It reads, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Hang on. Trust God. He is trustworthy. When you become a child of God, every promise in Scripture suddenly applies to you, and they're firmer than ever to hold on to.
Hang on, Child, your crown—and your King—are coming!
As always, thanks for reading, and glory to God. I prayed that God uses this blog to encourage you and strengthen your relationship with Him, and I'd love to hear how God is using this and working in your life. Comment below, send me a note via the Contact Me form here, or find me on twitter: @stephaniejtay, or any other social media site on the Contact Me page.
Until next time,
Stephanie :)
Also below, take a listen to Hawk Nelson's song "Count On You". It's pretty awesome! :)
And if you aren't a Child of God and want to know more on how and why you should become one, please read more here.
While I'm still in the mist of this sort of puzzling process, I had to have another test done today. Now, doctors and tests especially make me nervous and cause me anxiety. I've been praying about this test that I had done today, and quite honestly have been worked up with anxiety about it. I know that God is good, and that He is able to do anything beyond what I could ask, seek or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21), but I still felt anxious.
On my way to the doctor today, I was jamming out to Hawk Nelson's new CD, (which is a great CD, by the way, you should check it out), and one of their songs called, "Count On You" came on. I've heard this song quite a few times before, but this time, the words really made me stop and think, and it was something that I pondered and prayed to God about even while I was in my test. The lyrics are as follows:
You give me front row seats to Your faithfulness, A spotlight shining on Your promises
Some people, Christians included, wonder why we have to go through the certain things in life that we do. Trials, hardships, disappointments, they are all hard things, and if we had the choice, they are things that we would probably choose to avoid. However, in God's perfect sovereignty, He allows His children to go through things that make us feel a little like wandering through a dry desert with no water, if you know what I mean.
We go through these things, because if we don't, how would we ever know that God is good? How would we ever attest to His power? How would we ever learn to rely on Him and lean on Him daily? These were the things I was praying through during my test.
I can guarantee you, that no matter what you're going through, God is in control, and He knows what He is doing. He is with you, always (Matthew 28:20). In order to see God's faithfulness and to experience the fullness and richness of God's promises, God has to take us through the waves and storms of life. In the end, we will look back, wearing the crown promised to those who hold on tight to God through tribulation, and we will see that time after time, God is good, and was and is perfectly working things out for our good (Romans 8:28), His glory, and the ultimate victory.
Everything that we've gone through is part of our story, a part of our testimony. We now have a story to tell others about the greatness of God, and our relationship with the One True King will be strengthened after all we've gone through in ways that would be unimaginable if we had not gone through them.
James 1:12 is one of my favorite verses, and one of my favorite promises found in God's word. It reads, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Hang on. Trust God. He is trustworthy. When you become a child of God, every promise in Scripture suddenly applies to you, and they're firmer than ever to hold on to.
Hang on, Child, your crown—and your King—are coming!
As always, thanks for reading, and glory to God. I prayed that God uses this blog to encourage you and strengthen your relationship with Him, and I'd love to hear how God is using this and working in your life. Comment below, send me a note via the Contact Me form here, or find me on twitter: @stephaniejtay, or any other social media site on the Contact Me page.
Until next time,
Stephanie :)
Also below, take a listen to Hawk Nelson's song "Count On You". It's pretty awesome! :)
And if you aren't a Child of God and want to know more on how and why you should become one, please read more here.