Profiting From Trials

Last night I had a dream. I found myself running to take cover from a tornado. The wind was very strong. The clouds were dark. The walls were caving in and it seemed as though there was no where safe to go. As I ran I saw a little girl ahead of me and then she disappeared. When I found her she was lying underneath some rubble but she was safe and unharmed. In times past when I have had such a dream it always seemed that shortly after a personal storm would occure in my life. One very much like my dream. The comforting thing about my dream was that after it was all over I was safe and unharmed.
Since my last entry in November I have encountered many times where I felt like I was caught up in a tornado or that a bomb just exploded. I don't know if the dream I had last night was to remind me that I will continue to come through the storms of life safely or that a new storm is ahead. Whatever it may be I do trust in the ability of my Lord to protect me.
This morning the Lord lead me to the Book of James.
James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
From the beginning of this journey I have asked the Lord to prepare me each step of the way. I didn't know where that would lead but each time I came to a new fork in the road He would remind me that it is not about my ideas and plans but about His if I continue. The fork in the road always gave me a choice to decide where I would go next. One of the roads held a sign that said "This way back." I have to be honest, there have been times when I have considered taking that road. Not that I really wanted to but because I had allowed my vision to become clouded I began to doubt the things that the Lord has confirmed so many times in my life. The storms around me where keeping me from seeing ahead. I was tired. I am so glad that He always reminded me where He has brougt me from for it is those times that keeps me taking the road that says "This way Home"
In the next few months my challenge will be to face some more very difficult issues. One of the things that I learned on my first mission trip was that I needed to be flexible. I believe that this is something that the Lord has been developing in me for a very long time. The other is a more recent lesson and that is that "Discipline has a sister and her name is Sacrifice."

Lead Me Lord for I Am Willing