The Benefit of Struggle!

I know I have come a long way in so many areas of my walk with the Lord and I am so thankful for that! I have recently had an area revealed to me that I still struggle with, though, which is proof that there is great benefit in adversity. I want Him to have access to all areas of my heart and have the freedom to strip away pride and selfishness anywhere He sees fit.

We have a situation we have been dealing with the last few weeks in which I was slandered and very inaccurately portrayed and accused. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to inflict some hurt of my own! I wanted a little prideful revenge! I really tried not to, though, in order for the Lord to be able to be the One to speak to each of our hearts!

1 Cor. 4:5 (MsgB)
So don't get ahead of the Master and jump to conclusions with your judgments before all the evidence is in. When he comes, he will bring out in the open and place in evidence all kinds of things we never even dreamed of—inner motives and purposes and prayers. Only then will any one of us get to hear the "Well done!" of God.

I know I am subject to jacking it up as well as the next person, but in this case I was very wrongly accused. What a comfort to know that He WILL bring it all out in the open one day and that He is the only Judge of my motives I need be concerned about. I am so excited, too, because I actually did a good job not "owning" what wasn't mine which is a huge step for me! \O/

I pray for the one who jumped to the wrong conclusion and I forgive her. I know she was hurting and spoke from a deep place of hurt.

Thank you, Papa, for relentlessly pursuing me and stripping away all that could hinder me in my walk with You. Thank you for loving me, molding me and showing me areas in my life that you are not done working on! I love You and thank You for the peace You give in the midst of turmoil!