Be careful what you ask for!

Steve had lost his father to a tribe of head hunters as a young boy(more on that in a later post), but he didn’t think death would happen again.

Steve was a preacher. He preached the truth of God to many regularly, but soon it became a memorized speech with no passion. He begged God to show him His heart so that he could speak passionately to the hurting world which is exactly what James tells Christians to do in times of trial (James 2:5 which says if you lack wisdom ask God and he will give it to you).

Steve had three sons and one daughter. Her name was Stephenie and she was the youngest. Stephenie had gone away on a trip to spread the gospel around the world and she finally returned home one day. Steve was so ecstatic to have his entire family together again; so, he thanked/praised God for this. Later that day, Stephenie had a headache and decided to sit out of her own coming-home party. Her mother and father sat and prayed with her and while they prayed Stephenie had a massive cerebral hemmorhage (basically an explosion of blood vessels in the brain). She was taken to the hospital, but died later that evening.

Steve had remember what he had asked the Lord to show him and he got exactly what he had asked for. His heart was torn and ripped to pieces. God had taken away his only daughter, but he did not blame God. He thanked God and accepted His will. God had shown him how he could preach truthfully and sincerely to a hurting world. Steve never once doubted God plans even though the suffering hurt so much. Now, Steve had something to speak passionately about with the world — that suffering was a true blessing. Steve verified what James describes is an evidence of faith in James 1:12 — those who persevere through trials are approved by God as having genuine saving faith and receve the ultimate gift of eternal life.

Stephenie with her parents in the jungles of Ecuador

Do you think that you could see suffering in your life as a true blessing from God?

L & B