God's Plan: Embracing Life's Trials

A short lesson:

Alright, let's get real. I've been assaying to write this in so many words for a few months now, but never could seem to make the time. Where here goes nothin. I may loose some of you after this one, but nevertheless, lets do it.

Life throws a lot of straight-crap our way, and sometimes it feels like we're only one step away from losing it. And, i mean losing all of it, whatever that "it" is to you. But here's the blunt truth: if you don’t shift your focus and recognize where these tribulations are coming from, you're screwed. All situations are ordained by God, before the world began. Every single one. Whether or not man influences the situation, or directly seen of Gods right hand, if your mind isn’t strong enough to grasp this fact, well, good luck. You're about to get a crash course in writing the failed-testimony of your faith...every day, all day... no holds barred.

First off, let’s talk about where these trials stem from. Whether it's a flat tire on your way to an important meeting or a sudden job loss, it’s all part of God’s plan. Yeah, you heard me right. Nothing happens by accident, but by His spirit which is in the world. God orchestrates every detail of your life, and that includes the tough times.

Origins of Tribulations: The Source of Our Trials

Let's cut to the chase. Tribulations kicked off when Adam straight-up ignored God in the Garden of Eden. God taught, “Don’t eat the fruit from that tree.” What did Adam do? He chowed down. That one act of disobedience wasn't about a snack; it was a colossal "you had one job" moment that unleashed a world of hurt—sin, suffering, and every bit of chaos we've been wrestling with since. and what do we do? we continue to follow Adam's disobedience.

Ever since, we've been on a roll ignoring God’s commandments, from golden calf-building Israelites to modern-day rebels. This isn’t just rule-breaking; it's inviting disaster to our lives. When you blow off God's word, you're tossing out the divine safety net. It’s not rocket science—disobedience equals trouble. So, next time you're wondering why life feels like an out of control dumpster fire, ask yourself if you've veered off God's path. God’s commands aren’t suggestions; they’re life-saving instructions. Ignore them at your own peril.

God's Control: The Master of All

Alright, let’s get real for a moment. God’s got control over everything—good and bad. Isaiah 45:7 puts it bluntly: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." Yep, you heard it. God’s behind it all. The light and the darkness, the peace and the chaos—He’s the mastermind. And don’t be fooled: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

It’s simple, people. If you sow evil, you’re gonna reap evil. That’s the way it works. You can’t plant rotten seeds and expect a healthy crop. And the same goes for good. When you do right, follow God’s commandments, and do good, you’ll see the fruits of that goodness in your life. Don’t act surprised when life’s a mess if you’ve been walking down the wrong path.

God’s spirit is in control, even though you can’t see it, silly billy. It’s happening in the background, guiding every reaction. Take gravity, for instance. You drop something, it falls. It’s invisible, but inevitable and therefore undeniable. No one argues with gravity, not even the most hardened skeptics. It’s a fundamental force of nature that we all accept, yet we don’t see it working; we do, however see its effects. Similarly, God’s spirit is the unseen force behind the scenes, orchestrating everything. Or consider electricity—flip a switch, the light comes on. You don’t see the current, but you can’t deny its power. God’s spirit works the same way.

How about the Internet? You connect to Wi-Fi and suddenly you have access to all the information in the world. You can’t see the data zipping through the air, but you rely on it daily. In the same way, God’s spirit is at work, invisible but ever-present, guiding and sustaining us.

Or think about how an engine works. You don’t see the internal combustion or the countless mechanical interactions taking place under the hood, but you can’t deny the car moves when you hit the gas. This is how God’s spirit functions—driving our lives forward even though we can’t see the mechanics at work.

How about social situations? When you’re kind to someone, you may not see the ripple effect of that kindness immediately, but it happens. Acts of goodness inspire more goodness, creating a chain reaction. This is God’s spirit at work, moving through us to create positive change.

Even in economics, supply and demand are invisible forces driving market behaviors. You can’t see these principles in action, but the effects are evident and undeniable.

God's spirit similarly influences every aspect of our world, making sure that every action has a reaction, reinforcing the idea that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7).

In engineering, consider structural integrity. Engineers calculate loads and stress factors to ensure buildings stand tall and bridges don’t collapse. You don’t see the forces at work, but you trust in the stability they provide. God's spirit provides that same stability in our lives, even when we can't see it directly.

That's right, all you need to see it to believe it, folks out there... I know because I used to be one of you. I had to learn that even though I couldn't see something, it didn't mean it wasn't there, silly billy Corley (me). It was all happening in the background, guiding every reaction. In the same vein, if you've ever heard the saying "it's the thought that counts" relating to gifts? Well, if that's true, and the thought is more important than the action, consider whether or not you can see a thought. No, not until it is manifested.

You y'all might be thinking, "But don’t actions speak louder than words?" And you're right! While actions carry more weight, as does any final. destination, it's important to remember that both words and actions reflect our thoughts and feelings. Both words and actions are meanifestations. Both reveal. Think of it this way: our heart—what we truly believe and feel—shapes everything we say and do. Even though we can't see someone's heart directly, it shows up in how they communicate and behave. So, both our words and actions are valuable clues to understanding who we really are!

The Heart of The Matter

But what saith the scripture concerning this? Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. The line suggests that guarding our thoughts and intentions is crucial, as they determine our actions and life outcomes.

Or, Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

The scripture emphasizes that a person's true nature is revealed by their thoughts. Revealed? Yes, revealed. I want to point out here, can you see how the scriptures goes from the spiritual to the natural—just like that, in a snap, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye? From the unseen to the seen?

Or, Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

The line directly connects good thoughts to good actions, showing that what's in our hearts will manifest in our behavior. Again, unseen to seen.

I could go on with more scripture, but I hope you get the point that speaking to the children of God, for we are not all His children, if we do good then good shall follow us all the days of our lives.

The Power of Shifting Focus: The Heart Shift

Alright, let’s get to the heart of the matter—shifting your focus. If you’re bogged down by your problems, you're missing the point. God’s in control, period. Instead of whining, “Why is this happening to me?” flip it. Ask, “What is God trying to teach me?”

If you haven't gotten it yet, shifting your focus means shifting your heart. When you align with God’s bigger picture, your trials morph from obstacles into opportunities. That's right, the Lord God is your personal Tony Robbins! It’s like hitting the gym, but for your soul. Would you complain about lifting weights if you knew you were getting stronger? No way! Same deal here. God’s giving your spiritual muscles a workout, so quit complaining and start lifting. This heart shift isn’t just nice—it’s necessary. Without it, you’re stuck in the muck of self-pity. With it, you’re on the path to spiritual strength.

Remember, every challenge is a set-up for your come-up. God’s in the background, orchestrating every move. So, get your heart in the right place, and let Him do His work. Don't just face your trials—embrace them. This heart shift will change everything.

Good luck, and keep sending those messages. Someone's for ya!

_Corley