“I guess we’ll have to try that test again,” God said.
I think I remember the preacher who said that, but he was not important. What was important was that statement. It has stuck with me.
In one of the earlier posts on suffering, I stated that God always has a purpose to accomplish for good when a person suffers. I also said sometimes the suffering can be shortened if we find the purpose – and I should have added “if we submit to that purpose.”
The preacher was telling of a time when he was desperate for tires, somehow he got some then someone slashed them. He was irate and did not handle the situation well. While he was having a “temper tantrum” the Lord spoke those words to him.
Whatever the rest of the story, the point was that God had tested him, and he had failed. Therefore, he was on guard for the next “test” and handled it better. (I’ve forgotten the detail of the story, but this was close.)
Over the fifty years or so since that message lodged in my heart, I have tried to remember that God has to place tests in my life in order to move me in maturity as I grow. Along the way I have learned to recognize a test and tried to submit to its purpose and get out of it as soon as possible. I guess I have done pretty well except for a couple of situations in which I seem to constantly “fail the test.” One regards my eating/sleeping habits; the other is a matter of a relationship. When I pass these tests, I will be better off for it.
That is his purpose for discipline; that is different than his purpose for chastening which I will deal with next.
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Sweet aroma 
I once read a biography based on the life of Padre Pio, now Saint Padre Pio—
He was a Capuchin monk from the southern impoverished toe of Italy.
Whether we believe or agree with the tales of his life, there are many lessons to be gleaned.
What is known is that at an early point in his life as a monk, Padre Pio received the mark of the stigmata…much like St Francis.
It was also said that he often went to literal blows with demons.
Wearing the marks of a physical battle after a night of demonic torment and struggle
He suffered pain from the endless open and bleeding wounds on his hands, feet, and sides.
He was ridiculed by the leadership within the Catholic Chruch who thought he was a sham.
He underwent extreme questioning and scrutiny by The Church.
He was relieved of his priestly duties, banned from hearing confessions as well as administering the Sacraments. This last “punishment” while the “inquisition” from the Vatican was conducted, was the most grievous—as sharing the body and blood of Christ with the faithful was as if he was denying them actual nourishment.
He was under house arrest and questioned for months.
Upon their final investigation, the Vatican officials concluded that they did not have any earthly answers for what burdens had been bourn by this servant of God.
One thing Padre Pio once wrote, something that has stayed with me, is that when we are suffering…it is when God is closest to us.
It’s hard to imagine such but in our sorrows and pain…Jesus is closer to us than ever…
I have found great comfort in that over the years.
Despite, at the time, such a thought being nearly impossible to believe.
A wonderful series Madame President.
I was just thinking last night that I might ought to get my “run for Democrat president nomination” out re-throw my hat into the deminishing ring. I think I just might win with the competition I’ve seen so far!
Regarding the issue relating to this priest (as well as the recent issue with my sister’s cancer issues), I have been thinking of looking into the matter of “a call to martyrdom” which some people believe is a calling of God. I have not seen it in the Bible, but I need to research a bit more. Obviously these kinds of long time sufferings some people endure do model what Paul said about his sufferings being a means of spreading the gospel. It certainly was with the disciples. It also seemed to be with my sister. She lived nine years after the doctors predicted her death would occur. Her sphere of influence was so broad. Thanks for pointing me to Padre Pio.
I told Kathy she’d be your running mate and that I’d be writing y’all in on my ballot!
And yes— look into the good padre— quite the mystic
“the other is a matter of a relationship.” – hope I am not one of those tests you are destined to fail😂
I’m with you for the long run – hopefully eternity even. Now you might consider that the Lord loves you so much, he sent me! 😀
😊😊😊As long as we can make each one laugh, I am with you.
😀
But tell me why does children of God take a vow “Till death do us part”? Do they plan to cheat after death😂 or there is nothing after death.
Ah, that nothing again.
No, not nothing. Something very important. There are scriptures which indicate Christians are free to remarry when they are separated by death. The earthly vow recognize that. We will know each other in heaven. I think that means we will recognize family relationships as well as other relationships. Now what I believe – but don’t know. I believe that there will be people who populate the new earth as we do now but Christians who are living now will not be among that group. You could ask me many questions about this subject which would have IDK answers. But what the Bible says, I believe. If it does not say otherwise, my general impression of heaven is that it will be what the Garden of Eden was designed to be – but without the possibility of sin. I guess that means no more free will of man. IDK. 😀
And no more apples😭
There will be fruit trees but no more trees from which God says, “Don’t eat.” 😀 Ponder this. There will be trees whose leaves will be for the “healing of the nations.” That is one scripture that makes me think life will go on much as life is now. There will be nations. I guess I will be among the leaders of the nations – me? Riding a white horse? Being king, priest, judge? Judge must not mean the kind of judge we now have.
Now judges judge evil deeds. That can’t be in heaven. Leading people to the throne of God? Sounds a lot different than sitting on a white cloud fiddling with a fiddle. 😀
Dream on😂. Shall I say “Om Shanti Shanti “(peace be on all)
Dreaming the Bible dreams for me. And peace back to you. I just posted again today. So hope on over. Let’s see how you can knock the president or God on a comment regarding it! Don’t think you can. You might just have to say, “Good one, Oneta.” 😀
Great teaching Oneta.
I love your loving interaction with others on the way.
I had a dear friend who faced with Chemotherapy flatly said NO! I will NOT do this. She prayed but God told her. “This is the Way walk ye in it!. I am with you.’. She submitted to the treatment for two years and learnt many lessons of Grace on the way and influenced many, many lives. She lived three years after this treatment – quality years but went ‘home’ (as she told all the non-believers around) in 2006. As as she wrote in her diary…. later read out to her family. I fought with God, yet in the long run the years I did not want to go through taught me MORE about Him than the whole of my fifty plus years before and the ten years in total after. In suffering in her case an incredibly woman was ‘born’. LOVE was her mantra. Blessings!
Wonderful story, Faye. I believe that; it confirms other stories I have heard. Stories in which it seems the man/woman had a part in joining with the Lord to go through something from which they come victoriously.
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