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There is Love and Blessing in the Testing

Just days after writing a post about resisting sin and not conforming to the world's standards, I almost had to laugh at the irony of God's testing of myself and my faith. Here is that post. Last night, I discovered that with the upgrade of our cable package I now get a few of my favorite networks that I haven't had since moving to Canada. Included in our package are Food Network, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), TV Tropolis, and several others I used to enjoy. Among the first shows I flipped through, I was almost too excited to see "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and the "Real Housewives" series.

 I shamefully admit that I used to love watching reality shows like those mentioned, but never saw anything wrong with it because I wasn't copying any of their behaviors in my own life. What I didn't realize though, was the affect those shows can have on your mind and your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." It's easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of shows like that. Some people may even grow to idolize the characters shown on television. Even when I would argue that it was not harmful, I should have read on to the next verse in my Bible. Verse 24 says, "Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech." Those few words end any argument about what we should and shouldn't be entertained or surrounded by.

So, after watching just 2 minutes of the show, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to examine myself and remember everything I feel convicted by in movies like "Magic Mike" and the book series "50 Shades of Grey". Though my only real interest in these shows is honestly to admire the expensive clothing, shoes, and handbags, the attitudes and drama that come along with it are, if I admit it, very unhealthy.  I had to smile because I was thankful for God's nudge to choose what is "good and pleasing" (Romans 12:2) in His eyes. I knew it was in love that the Lord whispered to my soul in hopes that I would listen and He could protect me from the things of this world. There is always a blessing at the end of the testing. Feeling His love was that blessing for me.

In Genesis 22, God tested the faith and obedience of Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Could you imagine? Your only son, and God asks you to sacrifice him. What's important though, is knowing that God wouldn't ask any of us to do what He hasn't already done himself. Jesus is God's only Son. He sacrificed the most precious thing in the world so that you and I can live for all of eternity with him. So, he tested Abraham. Abraham passed the test with flying colors too! He gathered his son and a couple of his servants and climbed up to the mountain where God asked Abraham to kill his only son. Abraham went as far as building the alter and tying up his son, placing him on top of the alter, and pulling out the knife. An angel of the Lord shouted from heaven for him to stop. Verse 12 says, "Lay down the knife, the angel said, Do not hurt the boy in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld even your beloved son from me." Along with love, there is blessing in the testing. We are blessed when we choose good. Later in chapter 22, God reveals his blessing to Abraham. Verse 15 says, "Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven, 'This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son, I swear by my own self that I will bless you richly. I will multiply your descendants into countless millions, like the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. They will conquer their enemies, and through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed-all because you have obeyed me.'" There came blessing at the end of Abraham's testing.

So, although the test may not be pleasant, God fully intends to bless for you it. Maybe God is testing your faith, like He was me, or maybe He is testing your patience. Whatever the "test" you feel you're in, know that if you hang on, and stand firm in His promises, there will be a blessing at the end of it.

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