A slogan you hear from time to time is about living "happily ever after." The traditional end to any good fairy tale. But it is more than a fairy tale to a Christian. It is an angel tale. We are called to the "pie in the sky in the sweet by and by" and of that there is no doubt.

However there is much more than this, for the truth is that the temporal blessing is also assured if you reach out to grasp it. That blessing is "happy ever now."

As a matter of fact we ought to be living psalms 23 daily. The ramifications are mighty for life. Not death.

We are called to live a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the holy Ghost. Lately I have really been being impressed on something few of us ever truly grasp as a spiritual reality. Jam 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Jam 1:3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Jam 1:4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Godly patience is simply living life in a way which exemplifies a steafast continuance. Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

We all want a testimony, but a testimony cannot be had without a test. Unfortuantely, when we are tested we get the moanies.

I am trying to quit all that. Lord I believe you are in every trial in order that you may show yourself strong on my behalf. I love you for it and I thank you for it in Jesus name, amen.

Glory to God

I consider it all joy that God has found me worthy to suffer severe testing.

That's not to say I enjoy the testing itself. It's like running, sometimes running can be downright painful, so why do I run? Because it makes me stronger and I so enjoy sprinting across that finish line to the sound of a cheering crowd.

Your brother in Christ,

Don

Interesting that the word "test" does not appear in KJV scripture.

But this does...

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:


I have lived this scripture out now for years as it was brought forward to me in a rhema word. Nonetheless, it is the default position of every believer.

Is his grace sufficient? The temptation is to walk around in sullied discontent.

And what a temptation! I like your phraseology on this point...and it opens up a can of proverbs...

One thing I have a hard time dealing with is the guilt trip. It comes from within and from without. For that which I am called to, that which draws my attention, that which is my personal experience must always be weighed against the moral rectitude of others. And even of my own inner heart of hearts, wondering what manner of fool I am....

I look about me and see greater and lesser persons. I see people who live in squalor. I see people who dine sumptuously. I see my humble little abode and other Christians living in beautiful homes where the entrance way where they hang their coats is as large as my living room. I see me with a diabetic condition which is bad enough. But I have no pain. I see a brother-in-law who has been wracked with advanced arthritis to being a cripple. I see kids dying of cancer. I see homeless waifs, defiled virgins, promiscuous lovers, whole continents of religious unsaved people blah blah blah...

And somehow in the midst of it all, the good and the bad, I find even within myself, a forlorn cry of beggarly inconvenience to my hearts desires, for when I weigh them against what others face I feel shame faced and unworthy of receiving. Is it right to spend one's days in a spirit of impoverishment, somehow justified by the fact that I am better off than others, even if marginally so? At that rate is there any room beyond... 1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 1Ti 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1Ti 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Somehow one comes away feeling like it is Christmas and the kid next door got "Leggo" and I got "Pick Up Sticks" and am resolved therewith to be content.

There must be a balance bar somewhere. A heart plea for deferred hope having some form of validity. Yet does it?