Prodigal:  OUCH!  That hurts!

 

Me:  PRODIGAL!  What are you doing in there?

 

Prodigal:  I am getting burnt by this dragon and it is not fun and I am HURT!

 

Me:  Prodigal:  It may take awhile to get you away from that dragon.  This looks like a heap of a mess.  I will share with you about troubles while we talk.

 

Neva Coyle shares in her book A Woman Of Strength Reclaim Your Past, Seize Your Present, Secure Your Future.

 

The struggles I have experienced have brought out my bad attitudes, unforgiveness, selfishness, and pride.  The pain of those struggles has caused me to seek Christ at a deeper level.  These struggles have drawn me closer to his Word and to his principles for living.  Yes, my problems have often been the very thing that has given me more compassion, patience, and tolerance with others who are struggling.  But even more, troubles have often put me in closer touch with God than ever before.

 

It is only by looking back  after we have committed to being obedient to the Lord can we truly see how God put these struggles in our path to grow us and also bring us closer to Him.

Yes, we did not lean on him a hundred percent of the time.

Yes, we gave into our negative emotions some of the time.

Yes, we lost our way a couple of times.

That only showed us how faithful God was and only showed us how much God really cares!

 

Isaiah 26:8-9

In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.  My soul yearns for you  in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.  For when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

 

 

Jennifer Van Allen

 

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org