"God knows our weaknesses. He knows how easily we would slip back into bondage if we faced adversity in the easy way out. In His great wisdom and sovereignty His plan for the exodus of our bondage is not the quick, easy way. He will lead us out through a path that will create a dependency on Him. This path will also strengthen our relationship with Him, give us a renewed assurance of our faith, and equip us for a possible slip back into the pit." Encouragement For Today

I have been wondering lately why so many things in my faith life have been so much easier than they could have been. We have faced many things - infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, bed rest, excessive indebtedness, tight budgets, bondage seasons to certain sins, redefining identities, 3 moves, lots of stressful responsibilities, etc. During the times of hardship we were well aware of the stress, but nothing I remember has really forced us to give everything we had to battle it (OK, maybe morning sickness during my 2nd pregnancy). In other words, I have not felt as though I have suffered the types of trials Jesus suffered. I do not feel the fellowship of his sufferings. I keep thinking that He's protecting me, sheltering me, delivering me so that I'm not touched by things, but even when I am, He seems to make the burden lighter than could normally be expected.

Father, I don't know what You know. But I get the feeling that You were talking to me in the devotional today. I just had this conversation with Michael last night and this morning You reveal an answer. How cool are YOU?!? Are You showing off for me?!? lol So I've asked You for the hard way many times, desiring to be tested and purified through sufferings. But You have not chosen that course for me. Maybe because the one instance I can think of that did require my all (morning sickness) I didn't handle well. Maybe because You are helping me learn to lean on You through the daily trials so that when I do face a major one that actually FEELS major, I will be prepared to really battle with You. I think that's what You're telling me. Am I right? :) Well, if that's the case, thank You. Thank You anyway for everything You do and who You are, but especially I am grateful for the fact that Your ways are better than the ways I can imagine. You know me so much better than I know myself. I appreciate that! Lord, fill me so that I can love You more and more, obeying You with increasing frequency, and Walking with You and by Your Spirit consistently.