UNEARTHLY THINGâ—½ ENCOURAGEMENT
Whenever something is being transformed or remodeled, say a kitchen or a bathroom, the first step in the transformation is to tear out the old stuff. Some of the home improvement shows call this process “Demo Day.” What is left behind looks vacant and messy. We don’t panic though. We know what the finished product will look like. But we must live with the mess for a little while.
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Likewise, a true spiritual transformation includes a period of chaos and mess. I can’t think of a time when I was truly changed without going through a difficult season. It’s like a “soul” remodel - out with the old to make room for the new.
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I’ve been reading one of the great Christian allegorical novels, Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard, for the past few weeks. It's a
short book, but I am reading it slowly, so I don’t miss any of the lessons on spiritual wisdom. This is my second time through this little literary gem, and I’m learning so much again.
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The main character is a young woman named Much-Afraid who wants the Good Shepherd to transform her deformed twisted feet into hinds’ feet, and lead her to the High Places. Her transformation involves a long journey with many trials along the way. She is helped along by her only two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. The Good Shepherd is also always there at the first breath of her prayer to Him, helping her as He changes her.
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Likewise, several people in the Bible endured trials and tribulations which were not a consequence of their own wrongdoing, such as the Apostle Paul, Job, Joseph, and Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. Whenever I read about Lazarus, I feel bad for him. He got to see Heaven for four days (however length of time that is in Heaven), and then he was called back to Earth. To me, that is a terrible tribulation.
When Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee, a violent storm threatened them. They were afraid the tumultuous waves would overtake their boat and drown them. These experienced fishermen feared for their lives in the storm. But then Jesus came walking on the water, calming the storm with just His words.
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The Bible teacher G. Campbell Morgan said of this story, “He is coming over the very waves you are most afraid of. The very waves that threaten to buffet and break you to pieces are the pavement for His blessed feet.”
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Yes! I love that.
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Through each of these tribulations, the people were transformed, and God was glorified. Trials accomplish God’s will in us, and in His Kingdom.
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First Peter, chapter 1 says, “So be truly glad [about your salvation]. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while” (read the full chapter here).
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For a little while.
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In view of eternity, life on Earth is for a little while. Eternity can be spent in Heaven with God, if Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior.
In Heaven there are no trials. Everything is new. There is no pain. No illness. No menopause (HALLELUJAH!). No auto-immune diseases (double HALLELUJAH!).
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Without Jesus, eternity is spent in Hell. Jesus talked a lot about Hell. It is a real place that sounds so horrible, filled with pain and torment for all eternity.
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How about it? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? If you do it now, you can be sure that when your short time on earth is over, you will spend eternity in Heaven with God. And with me! We will have a blast!
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I know Heaven will be beyond anything I could ever imagine on Earth. But I know God. I have spent many years being transformed like Much-Afraid. I have many more to go (I think). But I know for certain that God is good. I have witnessed and experienced His goodness.
I read in Greg Laurie’s daily devotional on July 26, 2023, “Sometimes the very things we fear the most are the tools that God will use in our lives to bring us closer to Him.”
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God is so good. I will say it again and again.
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Angela Dolbear is the author of contemporary Christian novels, such as THE GARDEN KEY Series, and THE TORMENTOR’S TALE, as well as many short stories. Her novels are available in paperback, Kindle and audiobook formats on Amazon. Angela writes real, relatable, and reverent fiction. She loves reading, writing prose, as well as writing and recording music with her husband Tim in their studio in Nashville, TN--listen to their music on Sound Cloud. Please drop by and sign-up for news and to read new stories and hear new original music at http://www.angeladolbear.com/subscribe.htm. Blessings to you!