Purpose Driven Life Day 25

Day 25, May 25th, "Transformed by Trouble" 

   - First off, I just want to say that this chapter has been my favorite chapter of the book thus far. It has spoke to me the most and has shown me a different perspective of my troubles. Through all the trials I have been through, this chapter is helping me understand them the most.
    - God has a purpose for every problem that we have in our lives. He uses circumstances to make us more like Jesus. Life is a series of problems. We all go through problems. Not all of them are big but, all are significant in God's growth process for us. 1 Peter 4:12 says, "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." God uses the problems in our lives to draw us closer to him. Every problem we have is for a reason. Psalm 34:18 says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Often times in our darkest day are when we have the most intimate experiences of worship and feel closest to God. For me this is definitely true. When I am going through a rough time I draw near to God and feel a close intimate relationship with him. "It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers." (Rick Warren). We learn things about God and ourselves through our suffering, we draw closer to God. Through my broken heart and suffering I have drawn closer to God then I have ever been before. I feel God's present more and I here his voice clearer. "Problems force us to look to God and depend on him instead of ourselves." (Rick Warren). Living in Arizona after my break-up, I felt very isolated and alone. I prayed more than I have ever prayed before. I read the bible daily and meditated daily. Sometimes God has to get our attention and problems are the only way that he can

get our attention. "You'll never know that God is all you need until God is all you've got." (Rick Warren). For me I think I like being away from family and friends because it makes me draw closer to God, it takes me out of my comfort zone and makes me rely on God more. Now, I am not saying I enjoy being alone and not having friends and family around but, I need my own space and the times when I have moved away and did not know anyone, I felt the closest to God. Everything that happens to a child of God is filtered through God and he intends to use it for good even when Satan and others mean it for bad. Everything has spiritual significance in our lives. Romans 8:28-29 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." This does not mean that God causes everything to work out the way we want it to or that everything always has a happy ending. Only in heaven is everything perfect.  God can bring good out of the worst evil. Life events work together in God's plan. Everything that happens in our life happens for a reason and for a purpose. "God's purpose is greater than our problems, our pain, and even our sin." (Rick Warren). We have to go through battles to appreciate the great things in life.

BUILDING CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER

    - "Every problem is a character-building opportunity, and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for building spiritual muscle and moral fiber." (Rick Warren). I have been through a lot in my 27 years of life and every event has made me a stronger person, spiritual, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Troubles produce patience - patience produces character. God wants us to be like Jesus so he will take us through the same experiences he went through. We will go through
temptation, loneliness, stress, criticism, rejection, etc. Romans 8:17 says, "We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!" We go through both good and bad times but they are both to build christlike character.

RESPONDING TO PROBLEMS AS JESUS WOULD
    - We have to remember that God's plan is good, he knows what is best for us, he has our best interest at heart. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." When we go through times of trouble this makes it hard for us to trust in God's plan but we need to remember Jeremiah 29:11 and continue to meditate on it to get through the troubles. We need to focus on God's plan and not on our pain and suffering. It is all for God's good.
    - We need to rejoice and give thanks in his love, care, wisdom, power, and faithfulness. God goes through the pain with us and he will never leave us or forsake us.
    - We have to refuse to never give up. It is a slow process. We need to pray conforming prayers. Prayers like "Use this to make me more like you, Jesus" and not prayers of comfort such as "Help me feel good." "You know you are maturing when you begin to see the hand of God in the random, baffling, and seemingly pointless circumstance of life." (Rick Warren). Last Sunday, I went to church and I sat behind the young adult leaders at the church. I was nervous about going to the bible study because I didn't want to be the "old" adult. They talked to me about coming and told me I would not be the old adult and that they would love for me to come. That was all God, God placed me in that seat for a reason! We have to ask God what he wants us to do in every situation. When things go bad or we get in trouble we need to not give up we need to grow up!

Point to Ponder: There is a purpose behind every problem.
Verse to Remember: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Question to Remember: What problem in my life has caused the greatest growth in me?

Purpose Driven Life Day 14

Day 14, May 14th, "When God Seems Distant"
   - I don't know if I am the only one but, I feel closer to God when I am going through a storm. Most people feel close to God when everything in their life is going good, for me its the totally opposite. I draw closer to God when I'm going through a storm. I feel the most connected when I am going through a difficult time, I turn to prayer and to the bible for answers. The deepest level we can get with God is praising Him in spite of our pain. Sometimes God seems distant to us. This is for a reason. God becomes distant to mature our relationship with him and help us grow spiritually. Just like our earthly relationships are often tested with separation, you will not always feel close to God. God never leaves us though, He is always there for us. Psalms 37:28 says, "For the Lord loves what is fair and right. He does not leave the people alone who belong

to Him. They are kept forever. But the children of the sinful will be cut off." God says he will never leave us BUT, he did not promise we will always feel His presence. Just because you may not feel His presence does not mean God has left you. You are not alone. Every Christian goes through it at some point in their lives, it is vital to our development and our relationship with God. God tests are faith through these times. Rick Warren says, "The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking an experience rather than seeking God." We should go to church to seek God rather then seek and experience or an emotion. "Faith, not feelings, pleases God." Rick Warren. I feel, from experience, the situations that stretch you the most will often times be the biggest blessing in your life. Pastor John Ryser at Damascus Friends Church in Ohio said, "Whenever God is going to do something big in your life you will be stretched. Whenever God wants to do a great thing in your life you will have a difficulty. He confronts people with difficulties because he's got something great planned." How do you continue to praise God when He seems distant or you feel you are being stretched? There are four ways:
   1. Tell God EXACTLY how you feel
      - When you are going through a storm and have anger, doubt, and fear. Tell God. Unload all your emotions on God. He can handle it and he wants you to. Rick Warren says, "Admitting your hopeless is a statement of faith."
   2. Focus on who God is - His unchanging nature

   - V. Raymond Edman says, "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light." Often times we doubt what God has told us when we are going through a storm. If God laid something on your heart and told you something, he will make it happen in due time. In the meantime you can always find things to praise God for. Praise God for allowing you to wake up. Praise God for your health, education, family, friends, etc. I recommend if you are having a hard time doing this to start the 100 happy days challenge. For 100 days post a picture of something that makes you happy that day and then praise God for that.
   3. Trust God to keep His promises
     - When we are going through hard times we need to be patient and realize that God is taking us to a deeper level of maturity spiritually. TRUST ME I am the most inpatient person, this is very difficult for me. It's funny though because my patient's often tell me how patient I am with them and I always tell them, I am patient with you but when it comes to my own life, I am extremely inpatient. Rick Warren says, "When you feel abandoned by God yet continue to trust Him in spite of your feelings, you worship him in the deepest way." Sometimes we just have to let go and let God take control. Trust in his promises.
   4. Remember what God has already done for you
     - If you can't think of anything in your life right now to praise God for remember what he already has done for you. He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for you so that you would not have to spend eternity in hell.

Pondering the question of the day, I need to remain focused on God in the good times as well as the bad. Everything happens for a reason and we need to praise God in the storm and on a clear sunny day!

Point to Ponder: God is real, no matter how I feel.
Verse to Remember: "For God has said, 'I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.'" Hebrews 13:5
Question to Consider: How can I stay focused on God's presence, especially when He feels distant?