“You want to know what I think? I think I know why we go through trials, or at least why I do. I think the Lord is constantly allowing trials to show me where my home is: heaven. So many times, I forget to look at things with an eternal perspective and then a trial will come. That’s when I’m reminded that no matter what we go through or endure, succeed at or fail at, this is not our home. So, with that I want to go through these trials standing, knowing soon and very soon we’re gonna see the King. Amen.” -Melissa Camp-
When my daughter Melissa was 19, we began a journey of monumental trials and triumphs. Trials, big trials can wreak havoc in our lives and in the lives of our family. How we respond will determine if our path is destructive or triumphant. We all want to go through our trials standing strong but how do we get there?
The feelings of fear and anxiety are very real whether you are a person of faith or not. The good news is the Bible gives us our answers and our guidance on how to survive and thrive during these difficult times and the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live it out.
Melissa was able to go through her trials with authentic joy and peace because she knew her God. She had a foundation of the Word of God in her that the Holy Spirit used to strengthen her and fill her with all the fullness of God. She knew her true identity was a beloved child of God. She knew her heavenly Father had an eternal purpose for her life, and she trusted Him with His plan.
Melissa fixed her eyes on Jesus and she ran her race with joy believing that one day it would all be worth it. She had fully, radically surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in her life and was ready for anything. “Big or small, I’m willing for it all. The journey is ours. Let’s go!” And what an amazing journey it has been! Melissa truly lived a passionate, supernatural life filled with love and joy no matter the circumstances. The great news is this supernatural, extraordinary life is available to you also!
The abundant life is yours to seize!
Reflection
“If one life comes to know Jesus Christ as their Savior through what I go through, it will all be worth it.” -Melissa Camp-
Are you ready? Are you willing for it all, big or small? The triumphant life begins with surrender to God’s will above your own. Are you ready for an amazing journey?
Scriptures
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV)
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11, NKJV)
"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21, NKJV)