From The Crucible (by Assoc. Pastor Linda Pugsley)

​We must approach our most high God with the deepest honor and reverence. He is God. He is in charge and He is calling all the shots. Because He is also good, you can rest more in trusting Him to know what He is doing.

Things often go wrong or against us because of the world (others), the flesh (you) or the devil (Satan), not God. Yet the most High and Holy One sometimes is the only one to bear the brunt of our foolish anger when things go wrong.

He says to be of good cheer when various trials and sufferings happen. Is God crazy? No way! It’s just that, often, we are just so ignorant.

1 Peter 4:12, 16, 18 and 19 tells us, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you…But if any one suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name, let him glorify God…And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Whew!—better seek Him now, with all your might! Endure the fire—it’s producing pure gold!

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