FJWL_01:410
         To become the vessel that I have ordained, you must pass through a time of suffering, a time of testing, a time of drawing nigh to Me, that you might learn that only in Me is your strength; that you might learn to seek My face for strength and courage when you have none; that you might learn to turn to My Word for answers, inspiration and wisdom, instead of leaning upon your own strength and your own thoughts and your own ways; that you might learn to come to Me and rest in My arms.
         Be not dismayed at these lessons. Be not discouraged, thinking that you have done something wrong, or that I am angry with you, or that because you have been hard of heart I have had to spank you and deal with you, for this is not so. I am honoring you. I am blessing you with this opportunity that you might grow; that I might be able to polish you as a precious jewel; that I might be able to take you into My arms as a little lamb with a broken leg, that you might learn to follow Me ever so closely.
         So do not look at this time of testing, these battles and this suffering, as a chastisement or as a punishment from My hand. Be not bewildered and confused and condemned and discouraged, listening to the lies of the Evil One, for he would seek to bring you down to the depths of despair. You do not need to be discouraged or condemned, for these tests are from My hand and they are given to you in love. I am not giving them to you in anger. I am not giving them to you as a last resort because you have been so difficult in learning your lessons. I am privileging you with a wonderful opportunity to learn and to grow, that you might become the disciple of God that I would have you to be.



Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family