THE PRESENCE OF GOD DOES NOT MEAN THE ABSENCE OF TRIALS

A beloved friend

recently told me how hard life has been. He cried and questioned if God ever cares.

I told him that the difficulties he is experiencing is the evidence that God is involved in his life. That shocked him but I explained:

"If everything was moving on so well without impediment, then it could be a signal that you're like a chicken that is being over fed for the day of slaughter. But the involvement of God in a life is like checks and road blocks to deter you from crashing. It slows you down but it preserves your life and destiny. The people of Israel would have made the trip from Egypt to the promised land in just 11 days if God was not involved...but they would have also been crushed by the enemies even before they arrive the promised land. But when God got involved, the journey took some trying 40 years but at the end, their nation and destiny was preserved."

The young man said "Yes, Yes, that's right sir". And I concluded by asking:

"Have you not realised that majority of the churches, ministries and pastors who have refused to dump God in pursuit of fame and money seem to have a lot of difficulties than those who have abandoned the Caller in pursuit of the calling?" He screamed "That's right!" and then he began to say amidst tears "Thank You Lord for every mountain...thank You for every hill...thank you for every valley...henceforth, I care no more if I am on top of the mountain or in the depth of the valley provided you are there with me...".

Then I realised again that "HIS Presence is truly our Essence...not our circumstances...but only His Presence".

When God is involved, mountains and Valleys look like plain lands.

The presence of God does not mean the absence of trials and difficulties but it is an assurance that it will only end in Praise.