Testing Times
by Gemma Gardner
Last December, a little while before Christmas, we had a bad storm here in the U.K. It was a Saturday evening, and I was sitting on our settee. The rain was really pouring down and the wind was howling. Then I heard a click from the fuse box which is near where I was sitting. Dean, my husband, was in the kitchen and I called out to him, “Something has turned off in the fuse box.”
He went upstairs to see what was happening and found water was pouring into our bathroom, just above the shower and light switches. We had just had a new shower fitted and it was on a special circuit in the fuse box, and this had turned the power off. So now we couldn’t use the shower or the bathroom light for the time being.
We managed to get hold of a roofer in the New Year and he was able to deal with the problem very quickly. It was only a small crack which needed to be sealed up. There’s been no leaks since.
This situation reminded me that sometimes the Lord brings us into challenging times. We don’t always know where our weak areas are until we are put under pressure. We didn’t know we had a problem with the roof till the storm came. It’s great looking back how the Lord has brought us through different trials, and it can strengthen us when we are going through tough times in the present. ‘Remember how the Lord God led you, ... humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands’ (Deuteronomy 8:2).
I’m constantly being challenged about how I react to different situations when I’m feeling under pressure, and I keep asking the Lord to change my heart and do His work in me. If you’re having a difficult time just now, know that the Lord means it for your good and not to harm you. He will bring you through.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that You always deal with me in love. You’re so wise and compassionate. You know my weaknesses better than I do, and You know the best way to make me strong. Please help me to hold on to You and keep trusting You when I’m going through testing times. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
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