At my part time job I’m creating web pages for some online classes at Griggs University. I was reading through some of the material in one of the classes and came across something that I thought I’d just post here for you to read as well. I found it encouraging.
God’s love for His children during the period of their severest trial is as strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their earthliness must be consumed, that the image of Christ may be perfectly reflected.
One aspect, or principle, for knowing the will of God is a most exciting venture of faith. In my own life, I have often had impressions or promptings that I could not really explain except to say, “The Lord was in it.” But not only does God work through “the still small voice” (I Kings 19:12) of gentle and persistent impression, He also communicates through rather striking “providential” events or happenings in our day-to-day experience.
When I use the term “providential,” I am referring to the manner in which God over-rules in our day-to-day experiences to markedly open or shut doors of opportunity. These open and shut doors can take the form of very fortuitous and positive surprises, or they can take the form of what, at first, appear to be shocking reversals. Time, however, usually tells the tale. In other words, subsequent events will often demonstrate the blessed nature of what initially appeared to be a stunning setback.
I would urge great patience, especially in the face of apparent setbacks. Very often when God allows such a seeming reversal of fortune, He is merely clearing the staging area of our lives for a much more blessed coming advance!
Too many, in planning for a brilliant future, make an utter failure. Let God plan for you. As a little child trust to the guidance of Him who will “keep the feet of His saints” (I Samuel 2:9). God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as coworkers with Him.
Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.
Still waiting for Visa. Will update when I hear news.
Just a note, if you have received this blog post in an email, please click the title of this post, and any post, to open it in your web browser. Trust me, it’s way better that way. You’ll get to see all the other cool things I’ve included in my blog such as maps, weather, more photos, and a better viewing experience.
Also, I’ve added some new pictures to my flickr site. Once you open the post in your browser just click the more photos link on the bottom right hand side, below the Awesome Box. I took a trip to the upper peninsula of Michigan and saw Kitch-iti-kipi Big Spring with my friend Emily. It was gorgeous. 
This was perfect timing for me to read right now. Thanks for sharing, and I hope your waiting will not be too much longer.
Thanks for sharing. I needed this at this very moment as I prayed for “the next level”, even asking friends if this was the next thing to do, now it is all I can do. I am praying now for just that encouraging next step He provides in making my life better each and every day. A trial is a trial, and the outcome of trials is purification as far as I know, which is a good thing. Thanks to God for my trials. He is one person who always comes through again. Also using my “praying like crazy” book to journal on the lines of each page for journaling of what an awesome daughter He brought in to the world, who has blessing after blessing for all those around her.
The book is called, “praying like crazy for your kids”. So, I pray for all kids, not just the one I am blessed with:)