Tribulation and Victory!

Ok guys I have quite the encouraging story to share with you!

As the sun rose and the day began  On April 18 I made my way to church with the family, afterwards I cleaned up the house a little and then later that evening I got the privilege of meeting my Great Aunt Phyllis for the first time. She's quite the character I must say! On top of how awesome she is I should probably mention she's 80 years old! So we were having a blast in the good ole Vogel home! But in a matter of seconds my world was turned upside down!  Around 8p.m.  The phone rang and it was my friend Corey notifying me that my apartment building in Great Bend had been completely burnt to the ground Sunday morning! My heart instantly SUNK and this DEEP ANGER was unleashed from the very depths of my soul! The thief of all thieves marched right into my own home and stole everything there! So I had to gather my thoughts and take a walk down to the creek to have a heart to heart conversation with Jesus. When I got back home the anger was gone, but I still felt abused and violated! My parents called me over as I walked in the door and wanted to speak with me. So we gathered round in the living room and my dad read a verse to me, James 1:2-4 "Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." As he read this passage It really pissed me off!. I didn't say much aloud that night but inside I was Murmuring A LOT! It sounded something like this deep down ”Are you insane Jesus! Rejoice after losing almost everything I own! Rejoice that my piano, violin and saxophone were just baked like chocolate chip cookies! Rejoice that I'm now homeless! Rejoice after losing every sentimental possession I once cherished! Hell NO I will not rejoice in this!?” (Now before I go on I want you to understand what I was feeling so I'll try my best to put you in my shoes!). Imagine me taking every single object you own and piling it up in front of you, I'm talking EVERYTHING, your shirts, your dresses, your shoes, your guitar, your piano, your school books, your Bible, your Journal, your most cherished Sentimental items, all your electronics including TV, Laptop, Camera, IPod, Video Games, Movies and then imagine the very place you have slept at, ate at, studied at, worshiped at, cried at, rejoiced at, fellow shipped at and deeply repented at! Close your eyes and envision all those soul clinging possessions you've built memories with and watch them all burn to ASH! How does it feel!? Do you feel the anger and confusion and lack of peace a little bit now? OK now that you’re in my shoes and understand my situation a little better I'll continue on with the story. The next day I stepped foot in my apartment and as I looked around it really pierced my heart deep down. A place that once had so much LIFE became a place with so much DEATH and DESTRUCTION. I felt so cold and alone there, and the strong presence of God which was once there was there no longer. This unpleasant sight honestly gave me a small glimpse of what Hell looks like. So I quickly took some pictures, grabbed a few things and agreed to never return again.

I'm going to be honest the first and second day were rough! It was a constant battle of avoiding the pattern and temptation of self pity and self glory. During this whole mess I didn't exactly get to rest and focus, I had to get back to school, get back to work and get back to life. But every spare second I had I spent with Jesus because I knew He was the only one who could bring me through this! So I spent hours and hours in supplication asking God to lift this cup from me. That His will would be done through this tribulation. That His name would be glorified through this situation and that I would become more like Him through this trial of cleansing. Also that I would rest in His Loving arms and find the peace and joy He desires for my life. So although my heart ached I believed this prayer would be heard and answered. And By the third day God answered that prayer and had brought me an overwhelming amount of Peace and Joy that released into every portion of my soul! I  had never felt anything like this! I mean I’ve felt joy and peace before but this was so much different than all the other times. Because this time I was at rock bottom! I lost every materialistic item I'd owned and felt PURE JOY! Gosh when I speak about this experience my jaw seriously drops in amazement of the faithful God we serve. My heart is now FREE and in order with His will. I lost what I lost, but I am able to remain so content with what I  have. As Paul once said "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

So instead of being tied downtrodden and beaten I SING James 1:2-4! I can't stop rejoicing through it all, I'm ecstatic I lost my clothes, shoes, electronics, sentimental items and valuable instruments! Satan can no longer use those distractions to keep me from serving God! I will not let Satan steal John 3:16 from my heart because I am free from the Kingdom of this World and alive for Christ Jesus my Hope and Glory! And not only has God given me Peace within but has doubled my possessions that were lost in the fire! That seriously happened! WOW  what a merciful loving father we worship! He desires our lives to be abundant and beyond! So next time when times look beyond tough what are you going to do?  If we remain faithful and embrace (I Corinthians 15:57)&( James 1:2-4) God will bring us victory every time! Tribulation is a beautiful thing my friends so Rejoice, Give Thanks and Be Content With What You Have! For the lord has said "never will I leave you and never will I forsake you"