Rejoicing through Hard Times...

God's been talking to me in many different ways, like he always does; And my prayer has been that the Lord gives me sharp ears to listen to what He's saying.

Within this past 6 months, God's been telling me to rejoice through hard times, even though I sincerely have had the best six months of my life...God's made me whole once again and I honestly feel just like the Psalmist described on Psalm 91:1 :

" He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"

This past week, The Lord spoke loudly and clear once again...and last night the perfection of his plan was shown by something I read on my daily devotional "My Utmost for his Highest".

Firstly, I'd like to post one of my favorite Bible verses and from the bottom of my heart...I hope it touches you as much as it touched me.

In him, Now and Forever...(listening to "We Fall Down" by Donnie McClurkin)

L.

Romans 5 3-4

3 And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness;
4 and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope

We have to develop godly habits to express what God’s grace has done in us. It is not just a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved so that "the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."

And it is adversity that makes us exhibit His life in our mortal flesh. Is my life exhibiting the essence of the sweetness of the Son of God, or just the basic irritation of "myself" that I would have apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy adversity is the acute sense of eagerness of allowing the life of the Son of God to evidence itself in me.

No matter how difficult something may be, I must say, "Lord, I am delighted to obey You in this." Instantly, the Son of God will move to the forefront of my life, and will manifest in my body that which glorifies Him.
You must not debate. The moment you obey the light of God, His Son shines through you in that very adversity; but if you debate with God, you grieve His Spirit (see Ephesians 4:30 ). You must keep yourself in the proper condition to allow the life of the Son of God to be manifested in you, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means God uses to exhibit just how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure His Son is. Discovering a new way of manifesting the Son of God should make our heart beat with renewed excitement. It is one thing to choose adversity, and quite another to enter into adversity through the orchestrating of our circumstances by God’s sovereignty. And if God puts you into adversity, He is adequately sufficient to "supply all your need" ( Philippians 4:19 ).
Keep your soul properly conditioned to manifest the life of the Son of God. Never live on your memories of past experiences, but let the Word of God always be living and active in you.--

By Oswald Chambers