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I often wonder how seriously we take that.

I am tremendously thankful that my daughter’s faith is strong and getting stronger. But she is really angry with God right now because He has allowed her father, who finally turned around with that 180-degree repentance thing and became a real father after God’s own heart, He has allowed her father to have a catastrophic stroke and basically lose almost all voluntary functions. He can blink his answers “yes” and “no” and he can barely squeeze your hand. He’s been this way since Thanksgiving Day 2016. She’s angry because she is juggling making sure he is well taken care of in the facility, her own household, her husband, her two-year-old daughter, and a broken foot.

And God wants her to be happy and content in that. Wha—?

You know David didn’t rejoice about the bad things that happened. He cried out to God and sometimes begged for God’s vengeance. But invariably he rejoiced in God’s providential help in those bad things. He praised God for His love and care.

I think that’s where we get a little confused when James and Peter tell us to count it as joy and to rejoice when trials come our way. Who wants to dance a jig when cancer appears, or any other trial?

To get an up close and personal look at how God would like us to respond to those fiery trials, we just need to peek into Daniel.

"Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up" - Daniel 3:17-18.

Even if He does not... that was certain death to those young men, friends of Daniel who steadfastly stood up to ole Nebuchadnezzar. It's commitment, but it is deeper than that. Some people like to call it faith, which is knowing something without the evidence of it. That is a pretty good definition. But, it is also conviction, that unwavering determination to believe God no matter the circumstances. And trust that God knows best.

I’ve heard so often the platitude that God never allows anything to happen to His child that the child cannot handle. I beg to differ. I believe that God always allows things that are too hard to handle so the child will lean on Him to handle this huge problem. That helps the child to recognize that God is bigger than any problem, trial, tribulation, or hurdle the child faces.

I have seen so many fair-weather Christians. Those that embrace the message of the Cross then when the cares of the world, the trials and the tribulations come, they get mad at God and get mad at the church. What would have happened if Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego had had that kind of attitude?

These are the kinds of men that God depends upon. That is the kind of conviction we should have in our life all the time then we wouldn’t be tempted with Satan’s wiles.

Conversation with Satan would be simpler...

"How about this nice juicy slice of pie. Look it is full of sweet worldly nuggets."

"No."

"Ah, but I have dipped it in whipped power, and dribbled lots of delectable passions all over it."

"No."

"You don't know what you're missing."

"Look, Satan, there is nothing you could give me that would be any better than the glories God has for me in Heaven. I love Him so much that I'd rather die right here than disappoint Him."

There wouldn't be any "thinking about" that pie. The issue has already been decided. No haggling. No hassle. Walk away whistling because the decision had already been made.

Why don't we do this?

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

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