September 2 Remember—Part III
Two years ago, September 2016 was a difficult month for me. A string of disappointments, which I’ve alluded to, had already begun. This particular week was difficult because there was a mosquito in our house, and it kept biting me. In a week’s time, I’d gotten bit 15 times, then a couple days went by, and I got another bite or two. I think I totaled at 17 before I finally found the mosquito and killed it. What was going on? I was being tested again, and I didn’t like it. #tempertemper #refinersfire #September2Remember Click to Tweet
I finally figured out I was going through yet another time of testing. On Wednesday, September 21st, 2016, I wrote in my journal a bunch of different things. Like David wrote the psalms, I started the entry with a lament or tirade of sorts. “Another day of horrendous emotional crap…just horrendous!” I went on to explain what had triggered the latest round.
One good thing happened that week. I got an email from my church. In August, I had applied for a position with our new ministry training school, and had been turned down, because I hadn’t asked for enough hours. (Strange situation, I know). But a month later, I got this email from out of the blue that helped me feel better.
“You are receiving this email because you have helped or have been asked to help with prophetic ministry here at ___.” Neither was true. When I got around to replying a couple days later, I told them. They checked, but my pastor had put me on the list. I think he saw my ministry school application—he had to write a recommendation. I’m so thankful for his doing that. It helped me that fall…a lot.
I started studying different scriptures and biblical characters that were tested. Like Job, and Joseph.
Psalm 105:4-6 say, “Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed. His miracles, and the ruling he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones … Joseph (sent ahead) who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar…Until the time came to fulfill his dreams (his word), the LORD tested Joseph’s character.”
I looked up the word “tested.” It’s the Hebrew word tsaraph. (tsaw-raff) Strong’s 6884. It means to smelt, refine, test, to prove true, to be refined.
I wrote, “Well…I need to do better…Ok…I’m being tempered again. Sigh. I am, at least, aware of it now.”
How about you? Are you in a time of testing? It won’t last forever, but many years ago, a former teacher said this to me. “How you respond determines your future.” It’s not easy, and nigh on to impossible to respond correctly. We’ll both fail and pass different tests. Do we learn from them? If we can, we’ll build our own character and perseverance. #tempertemper #refinersfire #September2Remember Click to Tweet
Donna L.H. Smith 