How do hardships shape our search?

​​As we structure the parameters of our search, let's spend some time examining for what we have been made.  I recently have had opportunity to meet with friends who have experienced some really tough hardships in their lives.  It is a challenge to look at what these friends have experienced in their lives and wonder how a loving God could have permitted such hardships - physical, mental, emotional!  This statement shows a flaw in thinking.  It starts from a premise that hardships indicate a lack of God's love.


Let's examine some truths.  First and paramount is that God loves us ... He loves us so much that He allowed His perfect Son to be put to death to purchase us from sin.  Second, God is in control - the technical term is omnipotent.  This means God accomplishes what He purposes.  So, the hardships we experience come from a loving God who has a purpose in our afflictions.  And it means that He knows that we can stand!  [1 Corinthians 10:13].  

So starting from these truths, let's rephrase the issue by saying, if God, in His love has chosen to walk with us through these hardships, what purpose is He seeking to accomplish?  How can I use the experience to assist others either to bear up or to avoid the consequences of the situations which produce such hardships?

I would suggest that Christ is our model.  He that knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God [2 Corinthians 5:21].  How can we use the hardships of our experiences to help our employers and team members avoid such experiences?  Is this not the best explanation of why we suffered?  

Perhaps we could spend some time this week, prayerfully, with these thoughts and then take a look our our networking briefs to see if we have identified where Father might be leading us to apply.

Sabbatical Search Accountability Group will meet on Monday, February 26th from 9:00 - 11:00 AM at the Panera Bread in Green Hills.  I hope you will join me.  I will provide the beverages!