God's Compensations
The last few weeks have been difficult ones for me on a number of levels. I have had to learn again to press into God's sufficient grace one-day-at-a-time. He has been faithful to meet me and help me.
Winter, in particular, is difficult for me. My pain levels go up, and my energy levels go down. Our winter this year has actually been milder than normal, but it has still impacted me quite a lot. I have a long list of things I haven't been able to get done because I just haven't had the energy. I'm working on catching up.
As a young adult, one of the guiding principles that the Lord put on my heart is that there is always something good that He brings even in the hardest of times. In sickness, in weakness, in times of financial stress, in ministry pressures, in loss, in whatever we face - there's also goodness. In my mind's eye, I see the Lord balancing the scales - hard things with good things.
One of the incredibly good things in our winter is the amazing sunsets that we have. They are works of celestial art!! I've used a photo of one for this post. It is not taken by me - but it's what I get to see. The colors are amazing - the combination of colors and clouds constantly changing. I stand looking at God's creation in wonder, awe, and gratitude. The winter sunsets are truly a gift to me.
I wrote before in one of my early updates that God brings compensations into our lives. It's His way of balancing the scales. "The Lord is just in all His ways." Psalm 145:17. He doesn't take something away or require something of us without replacing it, compensating us with something of equal, or usually greater, importance, value, and significance. I've seen it time and time again in my life. If we open our "eyes" to see it, it's there.
I read a quote by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."
When I go through a hard time, this is one of my prayers - that the Lord will allow His beauty to shine in my life and help me reflect Him to others.
"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23
"Consider it all joy....when you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2,3
"Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." 1 Peter 4:12,13 The Message
God is the Master of balancing the scales in our lives. I trust Him to bring gifts that only He can give from the trials and testings of our lives. He is abundantly faithful to do that!
About the Author: Sally McClung is a member of the All Nations International Leadership Team and is co-founder of All Nations. Her husband, Floyd McClung, was a world-renown missions leader. Floyd went to be with Jesus in 2021. He is the author of 16 books, including the best-selling books, “The Father Heart of God” and “Living on the Devil’s Doorstep.”
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