Romans 8:28

[Catsmeow]

Most people at Worthy Land know I've been going through a flurry of trials and tribulations...most of the are health related issues.

I'm not alone, however. Many of YOU have lost beloved family members in the last year or so; many have watched their savings depleted and their jobs farmed out overseas; many have experienced rejection and betrayal from those they love or trusted.

We all have some painful ordeal we've experienced ...many of us most recently.

When people PM or email me, they often ask, "Cats, how are you holding up?"

How do I answer that? Sometimes I just avoid answering the question. I figure they got enough on their plate without hearing about my problems too.

There's really a "bigger picture" here and we often miss it.

James 1:2-12

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

Do you know that I am no longer asking God to "heal me"?

I am asking God to use this affliction to mold the character of Christ in me. If this suffering will mold greater character in me, so be it.

He told me that if I am to follow HIM then I must be willing to pick up and carry my own cross, just as He did.

My husband's doctor (she a tiny, petite little thing) has four beautiful children. Two are blind & crippled, one has died and another is dying. They all inherited some genetic disorder ...

How does she cope with this? She a believer and loves the Lord. Why her?

We don't often recognize the horrible suffering others endure but they suffer nonetheless. It's often hidden behind the smiles and politeness but deep inside, there's pain and hurt of all sorts.

We really don't know what is going on in the quiet, private lives of those around us.

We think other Christians have it "made" and we're the only ones who are going through real tribulations.

I have learned the secret of being content in all circumstances. All I have to do is look around me and see what other brethren are enduring daily and I am humbled by my own suffering.

If I begin to pity myself because I now walk with a cane, all I have to do is look at the children in poorer countries who have neither cane or wheelchair. They crawl with their hands.

How many others have no husband? How many others are homeless or hungry? How many others are all alone in a nursing home and no one comes to visit?

I wanted to share this with others who might be suffering. I am learning the profound lessons of gratitude and thankfulness to our Father.

I am learning to not be tossed to and fro by every changing ebb and flow of events.

I wondered if anyone else has had this experience in the face of tremendous suffering?

[Anonymous]

I have, time has helped the Healing.

Bless you cats.

[Catsmeow]

Time does...but also just growing in the Lord. As we fall more in love with Him, it gets easier to bear the burdens.

It still is hard but we get our strength from Him.

[Guest LCPGUY]

Fantastic and needed post Cats

There are so many more Christians undergoing one form or another of tribulation than we think. We are not immune. In fact, oftentimes I think we Christians suffer more than our secular counterparts.

My belief is that since we are children of God, he tends to discipline and refine us, usually in the fire. Since the pagans and secularists are not of His family, he leaves them alone to succeed or fail under worldly law. Laws of chance; physics; biology; genetics; cleverness; intelligence; etc.

He disciplines and refines us because He loves us and wants us to become better servants and representatives of His.

Secondly, I think He either causes or allows us to go through great hardships of varying kinds to bring us closer to Him. When health and wealth are in abundance, we normally drift from Him and rely on and enjoy worldly things. He doesn't want this as He wants us close to Himself and loving and relying on Him alone. Some folks get the idea real quick, others need to be totally broken before they turn to God. So, if you're His kid, He's gonna "thump" you till you get the idea. And boy does he have some mighty thumps!!! :x:

Then, of course is the fact that we live in a cursed world. We had a shot at paradise and blew it. This effects everyone, not just Christians.

But no matter what, He is with us. He will never give or allow us to experience more than we can bear. As you know, Paul was suffering greatly yet the Lord did not relieve him of it. He simply stated that His grace was sufficient for Paul and that His power is made perfect in weakness.

Christ suffered, brutally and emotionally. Can we expect to coast through life on a bed of roses? I don't think so.

For me, the suffering I am going through now, basically financially and a total lack of family of any kind, has brought me closer to God and to be more -no- totally reliant on Him and not myself.

Bro John

[Catsmeow]

I almost brought you up John because of your financial struggles and the fact that high tech jobs are being farmed out to low paying labor while American workers are out of luck.

I know what you're going through...and Gary and Patsy, with his mother's poor health.

Then others here who've lost loved ones..and on and on...there's so much pain and heartache.

I am just trying to survive this one day at a time.

Right now I'm struggling because my husband is very sick and I'm scared to death he's developing pneumonia. At his age, that's dangerous.

He won't see a doctor either.

So, we all carry these silent crosses that few people see but they're very real and very painful to carry.

[Anonymous]

It still is hard but we get our strength from Him.

Yep.

[Guest LCPGUY]

Cats, why don't you post a prayer request over in the Prayer forum?

But rest assured I will pray for both you and Bill. You have been such a wonderful friend and help to me. Especially considering all you have been through and are still going through! You have been a Godsend to me Cats :il: :il:

May the Lord bless you and supply all your daily needs. May he keep you both in His precious and loving care.

Come soon Lord Jesus, we wanna go HOME!!!

All Praise His Holy Name!!!

In His Love,

John

[RGR]

Bless you, Sister Cats! What a great post. You, along with a few others, know of the trial that I have been facing and still continue to face within my own family. In the flesh, it is so tempting and easy to say "my will," but then I have to look back and remember at least twice in my life when I missed the Lord in a big way and payed some bad consequences! So, I have to humble myself and pray His will be done. I know that in the end, I will be much happier having followed HIS will instead of mine. Cats, you and Bill are in my prayers!

[Jay Dee]

:il:

Hey Cats,

I just got around to reading you post,and to be

frank with you I LOVED it.

Each day I pray for a new begining, a special word,

meant for me to hold on to. That I may be enlightened

to His plan, and have the strength to reach for the

golden ring, the will of God.

I pray each day for God to show me, tell me, enlighten

me to what His will is for my life, for doing it my way

hasn`t worked at all its just messed up my life.

I`ve had enough of trying to do it my way!!!!!

I`ve lost pretty much all that was near and dear to me

and through prayer I`m pleading for God to straighten out

this mess I made, that is if its His will.

I know He has a plan for me and I`ll just have to wait.

be patient and soon it will be reveeled to me.

So!!! thanks for everyones prayer and God bless you and

everyone on W.B.

LOVE you all so much and thanks,

:il: A Friend :prayer

Jay Dee :dove

[Catsmeow]

I have learned that my way never works and God's way always does...so logically speaking, I'd be a fool to do it my way.

God has allowed suffering into my life to such a degree that I can't seem to function...but I'm preparing for a miracle in my life. I'm preparing for my whole body to become healed and made effective for use by God.

I want the opportunity to work with Him and know the real Him and be His child.

My husband keeps hearing from me how much I just adore and love Jesus...that I am so in love with Jesus; he is my Champion and I can never look back but only go forward with the Truth.

He has made a door that is always opened to those who long for Him and another door closing to those who choose to believe a lie and resist the truth...but I think it is right when I hear that God is drawing those who are His also.

I just know that every day that I live, I feel a sense of closeness that was never there before. I know He's with me and throughout the day, I find myself just chatting with him, whether in the grocery store or wherever.