More thinking...

So yesterday, I was thinking about finding a new church home. I talked to God about it and wouldn't you know it, as I was shopping at the store, I ran into a current church member. Really? So I will be going back to my church home until otherwise directed.

So today's devotional got me thinking more. Today was about the source of our adversity. When we go through trials and tribulations we always wonder why God lets things happen. Sometimes we just don't understand especially when these things produce pain for us. Why would such a loving God allow these things to happen? There are some other sources of adversity.

1. A fallen world: When sin came into the world so did suffering. We look to God to protect us from the suffering by making us to not choose sin. But in doing so He would take away our free will, which would in turn take away our free will to love Him so why would He want to do that?

2.US: We get ourselves in trouble with the stupid decisions we make. If God stopped us from doing this, how would we ever learn from it?

3. Satanic attack: Of course this is inevitable. Satan wants to destroy us and doesn't want us to follow God. So naturally he will do everything he can to try to make us useless for the purposes God has for us.

What got me in this devotional was the statement that "the Lord is in charge of all adversity that comes our way". After reading that statement, my mind just flipped and I sent my boyfriend this " A devotional I read got me thinking....if u get a chance read Isaiah 45: 5-10...I was remembering that there was a man in the bible that God allowed satan to mess with....God's only stipulation to satan was to not touch a hair on the man's head....God ALLOWED satan.....that means He has power over satan too because satan did what He said! "

Then I said "when we go through things that are painful.....we are supposed to focus on God and His faithfulness....not on the pain....we are supposed to learn...in the end....why we went through what we went through....like what purpose did it serve? Did it strengthen me in a specific area? Can I see where I made my mistake?"

Isaiah 45:5-10

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
⁶ so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
⁷ I form the light and create darkness,
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

⁸ “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
    let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
    let salvation spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
    I, the Lord, have created it.

⁹ “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
    those who are nothing but potsherds
    among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
    ‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
    ‘The potter has no hands’?
¹⁰ Woe to the one who says to a father,
    ‘What have you begotten?’
or to a mother,
    ‘What have you brought to birth?’

Man that is so powerful! He in control of it all! But I don't think He brings things to truly hurt us. We are human so that is a emotion we will feel. But if we concentrate on God, we will always understand that everything will be alright! 

I think some of our emotions are selfish. Why because in these situations we come across, we think of ourselves. Which is normal to do but somehow we have to learn to not do that. To not rely on our feelings, which can be deceiving.  Oh, I think I am rambling. But it's time for me to go now. 

Thank you Lord. You gave me an opportunity to be with You. If only for a short period of time, it was well worth it!

Until next time! Good night all!