Wait, I should trust God with MY work?

Recently I heard a friend give his testimony about how he was challenged to not do work on the Sabbath day. On those specific Sabbath days, he had a very important test the next morning, either a midterm or final exam. This happened to him on a few occasions where God challenged him to take a Sabbath and to not study. Although he said this was the hardest thing he had ever done, it tested him how much faith and trust He truly had in God. In the end, this friend of mine said he had never felt so calm going into a test than ever before. Because he put his trust in God, God helped him to succeed on the tests.

After I heard my friend's testimony, I began to wonder how I trust God in my work. Honestly, I didn't want God to be a part of any of my work. You want to know why? It's because I am prideful. I thought, "this is MY work. MY doing. Why should God control all the work I AM doing?"

Although I was/am prideful, I wanted to see what happened if I put my trust in God in my work. I was studying for my music history midterm the day before, and I was honestly feeling not prepared. Even though I went to most of the classes, I did not feel confident about the test. But my friend's testimony came to mind, and I began to pray. I asked God to guide me in my studying. I asked Him to help me to maintain all the information I studied. I even asked God to give me His divine wisdom so I can do well on the test.

The test came, and I truly can say I have never done so well on a midterm since I've been at Eastman. Because I put my trust in God, He helped me to do well in my class.

Recently, I took my music history final. The same situation came up. I was freaking out about the final because I had no time to study until the day before. With the final, there was a lot more information to learn and memorize compared to the midterm exam. I began to pray to God and asked Him to plan out my studying. I received an answer, and He helped me to know that I should study only until 9pm the night before, and for no longer than six hours.

Within every study break that I took, I prayed to God. I asked Him to keep me focused and to guide me. I asked Him what I needed to do in order to please Him. I realized that as long as I trust Him, His guidance will give me peace.

The day of the test came, and I felt very calm. Even when I thought I didn't know the answer, I prayed to God, and He gave me the answer. He was with me the entire time during the test. And because I put my trust in Him, I have received the best grade I have ever gotten from any of the music courses I have taken at Eastman. When you put your trust in God, He will do everything He can to help you.

Proverbs 3: 5-8 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Trials

Hello, readers!

I'm sorry it has been a while since I have last written. Honestly, I have had a rough semester, and while God has answered my prayers and has been very faithful, I wanted to keep them to myself.

But today, I want to do a post about trials. For everyone, there is always something that hinders us from wanting to succeed. There is always that one thing that makes us not acceptable in society. We all struggle with our behavior towards one another, or we may have a disability that we cannot control. Once we realize we have no control over our lives, we feel hopeless. I'm sure we have all felt this way at some point.

In the Bible, it talks about the trials of the Christian life. Once people accept Christ as their Lord and Savior, God warns us that living for Christ is not easy. In fact, there will be many sufferings along with it. But how so? When I accepted Christ as my Savior two years ago, I was put through many trials, and will continue to be put in trials for the rest of my life. We go through trials because God wants us to become more like His Son, Jesus. Jesus is the only being to be perfect and sinless. Therefore, to become more like Him, we need to be put through struggles and hard situations in order to get rid of our sin, for we only learn from our mistakes.

Here is a verse that puts this into perspective:
1 Peter 5: 10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast."

We go through trials and rough times because God wants us to be strong, firm in our faith, and constantly looking to Him for guidance.

I write this blog because I'm having a really hard time this semester playing horn. My jaw has never been in this much pain before, and I'm seriously considering dropping my performance degree, and have been thinking about quitting horn all together, forever. I can't handle all of the playing anymore and I can't practice anymore. But, there is good news. God is faithful, and always answers prayers. He has given me the strength this semester to get through every single performance, ranging from a five minute performance to an hour. And when we conquer our rough times in Christ, God gives us a promise.

James 1: 12 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

No matter how much we are hurting or how we are feeling hopeless, there IS hope! God promises life forever with Him in heaven, as long as we persevere through the trial and love Him. Isn't that something to look forward to? I sure think it is. So don't lose hope! Because there is a reward for persevering through trials.

Psalm 23
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."