Moments for the Heart

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
– Psalm 139:14

God knows you inside and out. He has such insight because he created you. Every aspect of who you are: your thoughts, your desires, your good and bad habits, and the way your left pinky toe is longer than the others; He knows. Every inch of you from head to foot is designed for one purpose, to glorify God. He uses our experiences, both high and low, to give us a testimony that we can share with others, and in turn, point them to Him.

Through our Triumphs

We all have those moments of feeling that nothing could go wrong. The euphoric feelings that only come with accomplishing a difficult task: A job promotion, a new addition to the family, the papers are signed and you finally own it, or beating the odds when everyone said it was a lost cause. That feeling of laying down four of a kind, trumping your opponent’s full house – Life is perfect. 

It is only through a determined work ethic and tenacity in prayer that God blesses us. His blessings give us a glimpse of His glory that reveals His love for us. We then take those blessings and wear them as badges of honor that point to God’s power at work in and through us, further proving that diligent work does pay off. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”– Colossians 3:23-4

Through our Trials

Most of the time, we believe that our greatest triumph is our greatest testimony. This is not always true. Yes, our victories reflect God’s blessings, but it is the process of gaining the victory that is the heart of every testimony. You cannot have a testimony without the test. We must go through the trials of life; the loss of a job, the death of a loved one, the financial stress caused by mismanagement, substance abuse, personal illness, or one of those dreaded ‘thorns in the flesh’ that Paul so vividly pleaded God to take away. You can only achieve a victory if you face the battle. Hard or as long as it may be, we must endure it; it is what makes the testimony powerful and effective.

Many musical artists have crooned that ‘life is a highway.’ I spent six years of my life behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler. When I picture a highway, I think of a straight path, clearly marked, and for the most part, easily navigated. Life is not that easy. I picture life more like a roller coaster. It is slow at the beginning; then, once you reach the right age, you are dropped and left to the twists, turns, ups, downs, and loop-the-loops until you come to the sudden stop at the end. Still guided by the track beneath you, but scary as all get out the entirety of the ride.

Every corkscrew, every camel back, every curve of the track represents a different trial. You think you would get used to them, but the same sinking feeling hits you every time you buckle in. You never really get used to it. The ride of life only ends when the Lord takes you home. The same goes for the trials of life. John 16:33 teaches us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. (NLT)” But with that woe, Jesus gives us the assurance, “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Through all Seasons of Life

Although we all will face the highs of life as well as promised trials and sorrows, each of us is created differently; we are all unique. The name may be the same; the experience is quite different. The variances lie in what has led you to this moment. The path you have walked, previous experiences, as well as personality traits, all make your personal encounter with any given situation different than someone else’s.

This is why sharing your testimony becomes crucial to building up others. While God made you unique, your experiences will help those who are facing trials and sorrows. They will allow you to rejoice together in celebration of life’s triumphs. God challenges us to share these exciting moments to encourage the body of Christ, to bring comfort to those walking a difficult path, but most of all, they are there to bring Him glory.