Prosperity in Affliction

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman
"The second son he named Ephraim and said, 'It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.'" Genesis 41:52

When Joseph was elevated to rule over the Egyptian kingdom, he revealed some profound truths gained from the experiences of his years of adversity. He named his first son, Manasseh for, he said, "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household" (Gen. 41:51b). His second son was named Ephraim because, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

Whenever God takes us through the land of affliction, He will do two things through that affliction: 1) He will bring such healing that we will be able to forget the pain, and 2) He will make us fruitful from the painful experiences.

God does not waste our afflictions if we allow Him the freedom to complete the work in us. His desire is to create virtue that remains during the times of testing so that He can bring us into the place of fruitfulness in the very area of our testing. He has never promised to keep us from entering the valleys of testing, but He has promised to make us fruitful in them. He is the God who turns the Valley of Achor (trouble) into a door of hope (see Hos. 2:15).

If you are in the valley of affliction, now is the time to press into Him. When the time comes to bring you out of this valley, He will heal your memories and bring fruit from this very time.

One of the reasons I love daily devotions is that it helps me to take pause of where God has been so good to me even when I was suffering. 

Some days I would like to thing we do not have to struggle or feel pain, but then I know that must be a very immature perception in reality.  We cannot learn all things through rainbows, daisy’s and sunny days.  However, we must always remember that God knows how far we can be pushed or pulled before we are injured and He wants only what is for our Good not harm. 

We must find peace and joy through our faith in His faithfulness, then we will have rest for our souls.  I pray that we stop whining a bit and do as Os stated….press in to Him.  He is faithful to finish the good work He has started in us. I believe that for myself and each of us …if we will only let it be done unto us as He wills.

With the heart and love of our Christ Jesus,

Kisses,

Candace