We must learn to trust God especially when life hurts. In other words, the trials and tribulations of church revitalization ministry are exactly what this author/pastor/Christian needed. The pain has not been enjoyable but all of the hardships and set backs over the past 10 years in ministry have been spiritually profitable.
Our loving Father often uses "various trials" to burn away sinful dross and to refine us into the image of Christ. In this we rejoice.
In the words of J.I. Packer, “We are spiritual dwarfs. A much-traveled leader, a native American (be it said), has declared that he finds North American Protestantism, man-centered, manipulative, success-oriented, self-indulgent and sentimental, as it blatantly is, to be 3,000 miles wide and half an inch deep…. Ease and luxury, such as our affluence brings us today, do not make for maturity; hardship and struggle however do.”
Romans 5:1-5, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
I for one needed the loving admonishment Pastor Jerry Wragg provided in his recent article, "Gospel Off-Centered." Anything God uses to mortify my sinful pride is a blessing.
"If thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give me sanctified affliction" (Valley of Vision).
