GOD PUTS HIS OWN … with the people and in the places which will tend most to develop the spiritual ‘graces’.
HE PUTS ONE WHO IS ORDERLY … with one who is untidy, that both may learn lessons. Often our environment is but an answer to our prayers.
HE PUTS ONE WHO IS QUICK WITH ONE WHO IS SLOW AND ONE WHO IS QUIET WITH ONE WHO IS TALKATIVE … that the one who is quick may be patient with the one who is slow, and the one who is quiet may be patient with the one who is talkative.
WE PRAY FOR GENTLENESS … and there comes a perfect storm of temptation to yield to harshness and irritability.
WE PRAY FOR SUBMISSION … and God sends suffering, for we learn obedience by the things that we suffer (Hebrews 5:8)
WE PRAY FOR PATIENCE … and God sends those who tax us to the utmost, for “tribulation worketh patience”. (Romans 5:3)
WE PRAY FOR VICTORY … and the things of the world sweep down upon us in a storm of temptation, for ‘this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (I John 5:4, 4:4)
WE PRAY FOR UNION WITH CHRIST … and God severs natural ties and lets our best friends misunderestand or become indifferent to us. (John 15:2)
WE PRAY FOR QUIETNESS … and everything within and around is confusion, that we may learn when He giveth quietness, no one can make trouble (Job 34:29)
WE PRAY FOR HUMILITY AND STRENGTH … and some messenger of satan torments us until we lie in the dust, crying to God for its removal (II Corinthians 12:7-8).
WE ASK TO FOLLOW JESUS … and He separates us from home and kindred, for He Himself said Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33)
WE PRAY FOR THE LAMB-LIFE … and are given a portion of lowly service, or we are injured and must seek no redress, for He was led as a lamb to the slaughter and opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7)
WE PRAY FOR MORE LOVE … and God sends peculiar suffering and puts us with apparently unlovely persons and lets them say things to rasp nerves, lacerate the heart, and sting the conscience, for Love suffereth long and is kind; love is not impolite; love is not provoked; love bears; love believes, hopes and endures; love never faileth (I Corinthians 13:4-8; John 15:9-10)
WE PRAY TO BE USEFUL TO HIM … and He sends pain and suffering that He might have the preeminence even in the dark chamber.
WE PRAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE … and He sends numberless interruptions and frustrations to teach patience and humility.
WE PRAY FOR AN ORDERED DAY … and everything goes awry. Our times are in His hands!
WE PRAY FOR UNSELFISHNESS … and God gives opportunities to sacrifice ourselves by thinking on the things of others (Philippians 2:4).
WE PRAY FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND CLEAR MINDS … and there comes a stammering tongue, a dull mind and memory, reminding us that God hath chosen the foolish things…to confound the wise (I Corinthians 1:27).
…BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME!
…..OR DO THEY?
Thank you for your wisdom. I am in the same situation that you and your wife went through. Unfortunately my husband is not much of a believer so I feel that there may not be much hope. My husband has been gone for almost 3 years overseas. He left for a job which meant he would make lots of money, he never give any information to me about the money. He started running around as soon as he left home and I could tell but he would not admit it. When I approached him about the extra income he denied that too. I have gone back on the last 16 years and have seen patterns of deceit that I simply ignored. Although the last 3 years have been rough God has provided for me and has brought people into my life to show me more about God. I feel that had this experience had not happened I would not have made myself read and learn more about his word.
Thank you so much for you and your wife sharing your story along with your wisdom.
Regards,
Carla