Oasis in the Desert

A few of my friends and I started a Bible study three weeks ago.  It's about being filled with the Holy Spirit and how it affects our lives good or bad depending on whether you're simply going to church vs. really knowing who God is and what He wants for my life.  This Bible study has been like a huge jug of cold water after walking for weeks through the desert. I should know by now that when things get tough it's good to let go of control and trust that God is taking care of everything, but I still want control and I still want my way, so it's hard to let go.  I'm not sure why I want my way when I know that God's way is better.  Maybe it's because my way is easier even though the results aren't as great and I'm not a long term thinker.  Maybe it's because I don't care what the results are, I just don't want to deal with pain.  Or maybe it's that I don't really believe that God's way is better.  It's so easy to say something we've been taught, like trust Jesus or everything happens for a reason, His ways are higher than our ways.  But when the rubber meets the road and we are actually in a position to trust in a real situation I think our actions speak louder than words.  Do I really trust God or do I just say that because that's what Christians are supposed to say? 

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us - they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."  Romans 5:3-5

Fortunately, I have some really great people in my life who I've watched go through tough times and I've watched them make decisions I'm not sure I could have made and then watched God work in their life.  I hope and pray I can be as brave as they are.  It's always easier for me to be brave when I'm not alone.  I know it's one of the many reasons God put them in my life.