Wisdom Wednesdays - Faith in Hard Times

The display in the photo above was posted several months ago, following the death of twenty-one Coptic Christians in Libya.  Weren't we all horrified that such a thing could happen in our day and time?  Since then, many more have been killed by these Muslims.  They are threatening to do the same in America. 

This ties in with the sad news that Elizabeth Elliot passed away this week. Her husband, and fellow missionary, was a also martyr for His faith. 

Elisabeth's book, Through Gates of Splendor, tells the story of  ministry with her husband, Jim Elliot, to natives in Equador.  Jim was killed by the natives to whom they ministered.  Elisabeth's faith never failed.  She clung to the hand of Adonai through that difficult time, and continued to grow in her faith and ministry.  The movie, The End of the Spear, tells the story of Jim's death, and later the conversion of those same natives through Elisabeth's ministry. 

 

Her writing greatly impacted my life when I was in my thirties, and I learned a great deal from her about faith. I still aspire to have her kind of constant, unfailing trust.  This quote touched me:

God shields us from most of the things we fear,
but when He chooses not to shield us,
He unfailingly allots grace in the measure needed.
It is for us to choose to receive or refuse it.
Our joy or our misery will depend on that choice.

Elisabeth Elliot

G-d never promised a life without problems, but He did promise to be with us in the hard times.  I learned from Elisabeth Elliot's story and other believers such as Catherine Marshall, Dale Evans, and George Mueller and looked at them as my faith mentors.  Their stories helped me when I went through my own dark, hard times.

This verse encourages me when I walk through a dark valley:

We are hard-pressed on every side,
yet not crushed;
we are perplexed,
 but not in despair;
persecuted,
but not forsaken;
struck down,
but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

We live in a day when believers in Yeshua are being persecuted and even killed for their faith.  We, too, may have to suffer.  I pray for my faith to stay firm through whatever comes in my life.  I know His grace will carry me through if I continue to cling to His hand. 

G-d's presence, comfort and guidance in my life while I've faced hardship have been a constant.  Every trial has taught me more about His love and grace.  Through hardship, I've learned to lean into His strength, and have been taught knowledge about Him that no one can ever take away from me.  I can say, with all sincerity, "He is my beloved.  Entreat me not to leave Him.  He is lovely.  He is beautiful."

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I'm sharing this post with some of my friends at :

Judith’s Wholehearted Wednesday

Jennifer Dukes Lee Tell His Story

A Little R & R Wednesday

Lyli at Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3D Lessons 4Life

Hope in Every Season Homemaking Party

Laura on Faith Filled Friday at Missional Women

Fellowship Fridays at Christian Mommy Blogger

Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays

My Fresh Brewed Life with Barbie – Weekend Brew

Janis with Sunday Stillness
 Kathy’s Return to Loveliness at Delightsome Life
 The Gathering Spot Link-Up GRAND Social All Things Bright and Beautiful Link-Up

Modest Mom Monday Link-up 

Meet-Up Monday

Growing Homemakers Link-Up

Titus 2 Tuesday 

Share Your Stuff Tuesday 

Teaching What Is Good Link-Up

A Hope in Every Season Homemaking Link-Up 

  Wordless Wednesdays  Raising Homemakers Wednesday

A Wise Woman Builds

Wake Up Wednesday

Jenny Marie's Wordless Wednesday  

  Favorite Things 

Friendship Friday