Day 8 - In Turbulent Times, God Teaches and Leads

"Leave inexperience behind, and you will live; 

pursue the way of understanding."

PROVERBS 9:6 HCSB

I cant believe it's day 8 already. These last eight days have gone really fast! Do I feel any different since I started reading Steven Arterburn's, 100 DAYS OF SERENITY - Peaceful Living Through Turbulent Times? Well the answer is.. a little. It has only been eight days, so I can't really expect any life changing differences just yet. However, I do feel a little better in myself, and I do see a few new opportunities opening in my life. The quote below links to what I am experiencing by saying:

"Complete spiritual maturity is nevr achieved in a day, or in a year, or even in a lifetime. The journey toward spiritual maturity is an ongoing process that continues, day by day, throughout every stage of life." p18

You'll be pleased to know that I am doing this blog entry first thing in the morning (well almost the first- I'm showered and dressed and it's 8:30am over here in the UK) compared to yesterday, when it was actually the last thing that I did.... naughty, naughty!

"When we encounter life's inevitable tragedies.......we may be tempted to blame God or to rebel against Him."p18

When I look at the quote above I do not think that I would blame God for any tragedy or disappointments that may come into my life, although I can't really give a true opinion on this as I feel I have not had that many problems in my life... my life is not great, but I can complain! As I have mentioned in a previous blog entry, it's humans who do bad things to others, and cause problems for themselves... not God, so how can I blame him. Todays chapter goes on to state a quote from the book of JAMES saying: 

"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing" (JAMES 1:2:4 HCSB) p18.

I don't know if I could consider a misfortune a "great joy", but deep down, I will know that it is a test, and I have to remain faithful. My fear is not that I will be angry at God if something bad happens to me because Gods is good, and he will understand my anger. What I fear is that I will loose faith altogether and just stop believing... that I don't know if God can forgive.