Of course this article bears its title, with "tongue in cheek." In our daily life, we see so many of the Saints who are being "worn down" by their circumstances. This message is intended to swing the pendulum in the opposite direction, and make an assessment of exactly how we perceive the situations that are resident in our life.

Every one of us faces trials in our life, albeit to differing degrees. We seem to be so distraught with "our" lot in life, that we loose sight of the whole purpose of God’s love toward us! Let me make a clarification at this point; God is NOT in the torture business! Yes, there are things that we "endure" at different times in our life, but these very same issues will serve to make us grow, if we will allow God to bring forth His good fruit, in due time.

Psalms 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

We need to recognize the fact that this is a "soul" issue we’re dealing with in these trying times. These tests and trials are to mature us, from God’s perspective, but all we seem to be concerned with are our daily comforts and pleasures. What a fleeting life we live!

Psalms 39:7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

The Psalmist is reflecting on precisely what he is hoping for, much the same as you and I do every day. Obviously, it’s not long life we are waiting for since our time here is short, and age has nothing to do with his reflections in this passage. Nor is he considering help from man, since man is altogether vanity. He doesn’t hope for riches and honor, since they are fading, perishing things. The psalmist is confirming that he hopes in the glories of another world, along with the enjoyment of the Lord himself, both in this world, and the world to come.

Finally, the psalmist comes to his right mind, and to a correct way of judging and acting, in that he has acknowledged the Lord as the object of his hope and trust, with expectations of all good things, chesed [grace] and kavod [glory], as coming from Him alone. This is the hope that does not make ashamed.

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

God, who is on the side of His people, is mightier than the enemy of our souls; Mashiach [Messiah] is stronger than the strong man armed, and Ruach HaKodesh [Holy Spirit], who is in us, is greater than he that is in the world. Satan is under divine restraints, and can go no further in tempting than he is allowed, and his temptations are overruled for good. Besides, the love of God continues the same when He hides and when He chides. Dear Saints, if you do not have shalom in your soul, while you are awaiting El Gibbor to resolve these inconveniences in your life, petition our Father to show you if there is anything in your life that needs to be adjusted. His mercies are from everlasting to everlasting, and He is faithful and just to show us when we need an attitude change!

There seems to be a trend in this age to pamper our soul/body. When we condone what the soul is "demanding," it is nothing more than "pampering" [or indulging] the flesh. Hope is the anchor of the soul, and we would do well to have our soul "anchored" in the hope of shamayim [heaven].

Hebrews 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. [Emphasis added]
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Saints, rest assured that God is no respecter of persons, and what He has done for Abraham, He will certainly do for you and I.

There is an intrinsic propensity to hold tightly to the creature comforts of this life, but they will be left behind when we depart this world. It’s time for us to start "rehearsing" for the Wedding! The Bride should not be placing any hope, nor desire, in the things of this cradle of humanity.

We must never loose sight of the fact that it's not MY perspective on issues that matter, but rather, the way God sees it all. He is the only one who will never fail us, and He is the epitome [and Originator] of ALL truth. Thus, we must rely on Him and His wisdom above all else.

All of us are in a maturing process (or, at least we should be), and there are things that God is teaching us during our pilgrimage on this earth. There are cycles and seasons for Him to reflect many of His facets through us, BUT, that doesn't mean they are "forever," as they may just be for a certain period of time. We hear Him, are obedient, fruit is brought forth, and then when He wants to move us on to something else [something new or different] He has to drag us away from the old "thing" with us kicking and screaming like little children having a tantrum!! (Any of you Readers who have children can fully comprehend what a heartbreaking scene this is for the parent.) If we are to follow His path for our life, we need to be eager to allow Him to change things in our daily walk, and be thankful for His loving hand that prepares our path before us. He knows the end before we’ve even seen the beginning!

Dear Ones, please don't doubt for one second that God DOES have a purpose in everything we endure!! Do you think that life is all buoyant and fulfilling? Wrong! "Busy" doesn't have one thing to do with being "satisfied" in life. The whole point in "giving thanks in all things" is to show forth your love and trust in God. Knowing that He has it all under control, and knows what is "excellent" for you, me, and every one, far more than we know for ourselves. He's already planned the end from the beginning! The enemy would love to defeat us in our mind, but our responsibility is to believe God, through His Word, rather than looking for our own resolutions. Even the enemy can only go as far as God will ALLOW him. Even at that point, God has our BEST well-being on His agenda – if we will only believe Him to take care of us. No, it's NOT a mindless venture, but it does involve great strength and His shalom. Strength and shalom come only from God by knowing Him, His nature, and His Word.

The whole point of our relationship with our Lord – GIVE UP!! If we will desist in trying to make things happen all the time, then we can rest assured that it will give God the opportunity to put HIS plan into motion.

God is quite capable of taking our stupidity, and turning it around for a good ending!!

Genesis 50:17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Once again, we should bear witness that if He did it for Joseph, he can/will surely do it for us, as He is no respecter of persons.

Family, I will close this article with one very significant reference in Scripture:

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice
in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Have we matured sufficiently in the chesed [grace] of God to truly glory in tribulations? Please study this final Scripture, and allow God to have His way in the circumstances we endure. I pray that God will pour His wisdom into our hearts, as we study the progression of this portion of His Word. Hope is only a reality in our life, after we’ve progressed through tribulations and patience. Selah.

Submitted for the building up of the Saints.
� Yad b’Yad Ministries – Anna L. Robinson
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