| For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight-- II Corintians 5:1-7
Dear Sisters, We are women of destiny! Definition: destined or inevitably decreed for one. We are destined to enjoy our Lord for eternity. But between here and then is our wilderness. The one who chooses to accept her wilderness as God's appointment and chooses to please Him, will know rest, because He is ever present. Some of us will be a short time in our wilderness, as the thief and Stephen. I believe God is teaching me complete dependence on Him and creating in me the likeness of His Son. This enables me to accept my wilderness. When I fight my circumstances I wear myself out wrestling anxieties, resentment, anger, unbelief, fear. The wilderness was not part of God's purpose but it is part of His ways. It is an experience rather than a place for me. Hallelujah. In my wilderness I have learned a sweet closeness leaning into Him.
Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved?" SOS 8:5
Thus says the LORD,
"The people who survived the sword
Found grace in the wilderness-- Jeremiah 31:2
As we stand strong in our Lord, armor clad, surviving our trials, we find grace. Grace before the trial, grace for the trial, grace after the trial. We are covered past, present and future. Jesus lavishes grace on us. What ever your struggle seek Him in it. Seek a heavenly perspective! There are testimonies of God's deliverance from trial and there are testimonies of deliverance in trial. God may clear up adverse circumstances for victory; but others testify to triumph in the midst of difficulty. (more difficult) Of essential importance is that our God be glorified in all things big and small. Just how He chooses to do this in HisSovereignty is of secondary consideration. (none of our business!) He is all wise and never makes a mistake. In the face of tragedy those words can seem trite, nonetheless they are living Truth! We are finite and often foolish; who are we to presume to know better than He what is right for us? Are we not loved perfectly? We can trust Him. He is faithful. I hope you are smiling over the last two statements...
Trials expose what is in my heart and is most often not pleasant. I truly want His glory but the flesh fights me all the way! I question His methods and plans; for they certainly do not align with my thinking. I needed to read the following:
"If we knew the heart of our Father we would never question any of His dealings with us, nor should we ever desire His hand lifted off of us till we had learnt all He would teach us." E.D.
"When a certain breaking down of self takes place in a believers life it produces a marked change in him; but afterwards he has to learn it all in detail." J.N.D.
Father-God, Who are we? Arrogant and presumptuous, fearful and unbelieving! Forgive us. Cleanse us in Your shed blood. Work in us to will and to do of Your good pleasure. Give us a heart to desire Your glory and to please You. Thank You for loving us so perfectly and that your love does not depend on us, for we certainly do not give You, the Holy God, cause to love us. Abba, fill our hearts with faith to trust You and to walk by faith and not 'feelings'. Your greatness is unsearchable, beyond imagining. Thank You we are precious to You and for lavishing on us grace and preparing us for such an amazing destiny as to spend eternity in Your Presence. I long to be with You. In Jesus, your Beloved.
II Cor 5:8 ...we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.
All for His glory! az | 
