HE'S GOT A PLAN IN THE PAIN
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
We had an afternoon to get to the place we wanted to be to try to catch some black tail buck out feeding on the side of a mountain. We had to be back before dark as we were headed out in a Dehaviland Beaver on floats and we couldn't land in the dark.
Flying out we saw several grizzly bears traveling in the mountains and along the rivers. It was a little scary to see that many bears, but we pushed on.
We were headed to Red Lake on the south end of Kodiak Island. From the lake we would climb on the NE end of the lake and glass for bucks. When we landed we were greeted by a mature grizzly in the water. We waited for him to leave the lake and climb up over the mountain above us and I headed up the mountain face to find a buck. I pushed hard as we were racing the sunset. My legs and lungs burned and my clothes soaked with sweat as I tried to get high up the mountain.
Near the top of the mountain I came to a alder thicket and I felt the wind switch and blow on the back of my neck right towards the thicket. Just then a trophy buck busted out of the alders and made a run for up the mountain. I got my rifle up, and thanks to my dad's training on shooting moving targets, I dropped him before he got out of sight.
I climbed up to the buck and sat down next to him. I was sweaty, sore, exhausted and out of breath... but when I turned and looked to the west I could see all the way to the Alaskan Peninsula. I was glad I got the buck... but the view would have been worth the tough climb on its own.
Charles H. Spurgeon once said...
"The Lord's mercy often rides to the door of our heart upon the black horse of affliction."
If you think about the verse above for a moment and then consider what Surgeon said, so much more of life makes sense. There are so many times that God allows things, painful things, to happen in our life that really change us and show us God's mercy and love. Each painful adventure is growing us into what God wants us to be. The hard ride is the predecessor to the beautiful view at the end of the trail.
Recently I was talking to a friend about a terrible situation that has been going on in his life for 10 long years. He has been tormented by someone to the point where it would break most people. I said to him, "I can't comprehend the purpose of all this is... Why God has allowed it to happen to you and your family.". His response was simple and delivered with a small smile, " I know what it is, it saved my life. I was slowly moving away from the Lord and this brought my heart back to Him."
He knew that what he was going through was a refining process that had brought him into line with God's will. Oh that we would all have that faith.
The next time we are in adversity, instead of crying out, "why am I being attacked?" Try instead to ask, what is God having me grow into? What beauty is at the end of this painful ride I'm on?
Consider the beautiful butterfly that came from the "death" of the caterpillar. God brings us through times of difficulty to make something beautiful of our lives. It's also a reflection of what Christ went through in His death and resurrection for us. God will stand by us as He refines us. Stand firm and know that nothing is out of God's control and the trials you are facing today lead to a beautiful place soon.
Deuteronomy 31:8.
And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."
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