A day or so ago I ran into Barbara, a friend who recently lost her daughter, Diane, in a car accident.   Diane had cut my hair for years in the shop she and her Mom owned.  I felt that perhaps I could say something to encourage her as I am fast approaching the 3rd year of the loss of my son.  After a few minutes of sharing, she said it had been amazing how each day since her loss, God had placed someone in her life that said just the words she needed to hear. Since God owns the Universe and all that's in it, He can use who or whatever He pleases whenever He pleases to bring about His will and give relief to His chldren.

 Recently struggles have come into our lives, though not nearly as tragic as Barbara's.  The hardest part is that  we have been unable to resolve our problems thus far.  I  began  fussing with God, "God, I've done the very best I can, I've done my best to follow your teachings.  I've asked that you help me display your spirit in my life (love, joy, peace).  But instead troubles persists."

I grabbed  a book to flip through as we started our thirty minute drive to our weekly shopping destination.  As I clicked the seatbelt, I opened my book that I had not read in a while.  There on the front inside cover I had written excerpts  while reading this book months prior. The notes said,

• "We are often put to our most difficult test just before the greatest work of God  is about to be  accomplished in our lives."
  
  
• "Joy and peace do not come into our life without a struggle because our adversary fights against the *fruit of the Spirit." 

I laid my head back, closed my eyes and breathed a heavy sigh as a  smile formed on my face. This was not new information to me.  But I  had completely lost focus in the emotions of the past days.  God had come through again, an oasis in the storm.  I could rest in those thoughts. Suddenly I realized my faith had dipped and God had lifted me up through the words of my book.  Don't try to tell me we're not in a spiritual battle. It began with Adam and Eve and it continues today in the lives of God's children.

For me, these words were just what I needed to remind me God is every present.  They reminded me that no matter how difficult our days, God absolutely knows what He is doing. He has a plan.  He chose not to let us in on  His workings. It is His business what He chooses to allow in our lives, the key word being 'allow'.  If we were privy to His knowledge,  we wouldn't need faith.  For now I am to trust His heart and remember He's working all things for my good.

*When Jesus Christ becomes Lord of our life, we receive certain gifts from Him. These gifts are called  Fruit of the Spirit. Read more at FAITH CHECK under The Sanctuary.