God is in Control

Firstly, I would like to begin this post by acknowledging how great a God we worship and how daily, He has revealed that He is with us through this journey.

A view of the card

Close-up of the prayer

I received the BIGGEST card ever given me in my life yesterday morning from the Pacific Tertiary Evangelistic Centre (PTEC) SDA Church members. This has been the congregation I have worshipped with for the last decade. It is made up of tertiary students from across Fiji and the region who have come to Suva to get a qualification. I must admit that our family has been blessed worshipping with this congregation and I thank God for the many ways in which the members have also touched our lives even if they do not realise it. Many have come and gone but the connections remain as family and I could never think of them otherwise...I am proud to say that I have family right across the Pacific and Fiji who have been part of the circle who have been praying and giving us support. To my PTEC family, not everyone managed to get their names onto that card but let me assure you that your name is definitely there... and I thank you ALL for your support and prayers. I must add here, I love you all and thank God for your parents who have been part of nurturing and praying for your success and spiritual journeys here in Suva.

This morning I received an early morning call from my dear brother in Canada who is not dealing well with the physical changes he has seen in pictures of me. I remind myself that it would not be easy for my close family particularly those who are living overseas. For my family who may be reading this post, I share 1 Corinthians 10:13:

"Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm: at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.”

This text informs us that we are not the only ones who face problems such as this. I know that I should not ask, "why me?" but my question should be "why not?" The Lord did not promise us (his followers) that He would spare us the discomforts of this world but His prayer in John 17:15 is: "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the evil one."

The other thing that 1 Corinthians 10:13 informs me is that God is in control - He will not allow me to be tested beyond my power to remain strong. It also informs me that God will give me strength to endure it.

Family and Friends, I have to confirm that I experience this daily and cannot stop praising God for this.

Just as I was leaving home this morning I received a text message informing me that all the results for the tests taken last week have been received and these results reveal that I should be experiencing pain which would require drugs such as morphine. I couldn't help praising God that I have not needed morphine and have only taken panadol for whatever pains I have experienced.

It may be our natural instinct to think difficulties or sickness as in my case are a curse from God, but let us be mature about this and allow our faith in God to grow through these experiences. Let us, "trust in the Lord with all our hearts and never to rely on what we think we know" Proverbs 3:5. Only God knows our future and He promises in Romans 8:28 “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.”

We need to change our attitudes and trust in God, it may be hard to understand but it is OK because we don't have to understand everything. Let us take assurance that God is our heavenly father, and we need to trust Him like a child trusts their father. I find this thought encouraging and it humbles me.Philippians 4:8 tells us to: “fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise; things that are true, noble, pure, lovely and honourable.”

I pray for each of us who may need to change our attitudes and to trust in our father through these difficult times:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the tests and challenges you give us. Thank you for giving us the strength to endure them and the opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity. Please help us learn to trust you when we go through difficult times. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.”