Wouldn’t it be nice if some of us were exempt from the trials and tribulations of life? I realize that in every trial and difficult situation we find ourselves in, God has a plan, purpose, and provision to see us through. However, I’m referring to the human side; it would be nice to bypass some storms in our lives.

Well the fact is none of us are exempt from the troubles of life. It rains on the just and the unjust. Many of you that are reading this even now are feeling the heaviness of burdens that weigh us all down in our lives. Let me remind you that God knows exactly where you are and what you are going through, and let me say again, He has a plan, provision, and a purpose for you on the other side of this trial.

As I’ve journeyed through these 41 years of my life, I have endured some very difficult days. I personally found comfort in the pages of God’s word. In the book of Job we find a man that went through some dark days, far worse than we have endured. Job didn’t know why, he just knew that he had lost everything in one day. We have the benefit of seeing what was going on in Job’s life but back then he had no idea. It is a lot like our circumstances. We don’t see the “big picture” as we are in the midst of our trouble. At times we can’t make sense of anything, but like Job, God has a purpose.

I believe some of the greatest words ever spoken in the midst of affliction were spoken by Job in chapter 1, verse 21. Job said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” It’s as if Job stood with open hands, realizing everything he had was the Lord’s, and the Lord had the right to give or take what was His. Job didn’t charge God with taking anything that belonged to himself. Job understood that without the Lord’s blessings in his life, he would have nothing. So after Job had everything taken from him and had nothing left, Job proclaimed, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

How many of us handle our trials and adversities the way Job did? Is there something you are holding on to that is hindering your relationship with the Lord? Friend, if it wasn’t for the mercy of God we would all be condemned to an eternal Hell but God’s love for us extended mercy and grace. Peace and pardon is offered by faith in Jesus Christ. Let us be like Job standing before our loving Heavenly Father with open hands, realizing any blessings we receive is a gift from God and if He takes them away, there is a reason. We just have to keep trusting and praising Him even in the midst of the storm. We came into this world with nothing but we can leave this world with at least one, Jesus Christ!

Tune in to WBCU 103.5 FM Sundays at noon for the Shining Light Broadcast. I preach a 15-minute message that I pray will be a blessing to those who listen. If you have a prayer concern, comment, or question, please write to: Voice of Victory, Attn: David Burrell, PO Box 1221, Pacolet, SC 29372, message me on Facebook, or e-mail me at daveburrell@live.com.