I pray that you are being encouraged and are an encouragement to others.
Today I want to talk to you about "Blessings in Disguise". Jesus said, "In this world you will have trials, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." So often when we encounter trials or difficult times in our lives, we see them as punishment from God: "What have I done to deserve this?" or we see them as lessons: "What are you trying to teach me, Lord?" But what if the trials of this life are really God's blessings in disguise?
Consider the children of Israel when Moses went to speak to Pharoah on their behalf. They had a miserable life under the bondage of slavery. Moses demanded tht Pharoah, "Let my people go". Each time Pharoah refused, God brought a plague upon the land and Pharoah made things tougher on the Israelites. He increased their workload but took away the materials needed to do the job, and when they failed they were beaten. I'm sure they felt punished. Why had this trial come upon them? They complained that they were better off before Moses came to "deliver" them. What if the first time Moses asked, Pharoah agreed and let the people go? There would have been no plagues, no extra work, no more cruel punishment. They would have gladly made their escape with what meager possessions slaves possessed. But that didn't happen. Instead Pharoah continued to harden his heart until the day his own firstborn son was taken from him. By then, Pharoah was so sick of Moses and his people that he sent them out of his land with livestock, clothing, provisions - riches. They didn't go empty-handed. Their trial had been a blessing in disguise.
Another example is Peter. He loved Jesus with all his heart. He left everything and followed Him. In the garden of Gethsemane, he was willing to kill for Jesus and had vowed he would even die for him. How awful Peter must've felt when he heard the cock crow and realized he'd denied his Lord, not once but three times. And then Jesus was crucified. There was no opportunity for Peter to apologize, to make things right or to tell Jesus how much he loved him. What a devastating trial this must've been for Peter. But not long after that, on the beach, Jesus appeared to Peter and asked him three times (one for each denial) "Do you love me? Then feed my sheep." I believe it took this denial, forgiveness and commission for Peter to understand the redemptive work of the cross. Without it, I don't believe Peter could have made the impassioned speech on the day of Petecost that caused 3000 souls to be saved and more added daily. Peter's trial was truly a blessing in disguise.
And what of our trials? Could they too, be blessings in disguise? In this world you will have trials. But be of good cheer - Jesus has overcome the world! For we know that all things work together for good to those who are in Christ Jesus and are the called according to His purpose.
Keep the faith, the blessing is right around the corner! Love, Raelynn
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