“I do not understand what God is doing” are words that I have spoken quite a bit recently and I know that countless others have spoken them as well. There are many that read what I write and tell me how they are going through similar situations and are thankful for all that I share because it encourages them to endure knowing that they are not alone in their trials. Others tell me I need to seek the care of a therapist, psychiatrist, or be put on some medication because of the continued struggles I face without much relief. I often contemplate the words written in *Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”* and realize that I have been found worthy of the calling that God has given me. For those that just don’t get me, one thing that might help you understand me a little better is that, “I am not you.” What God is having me go through may be exactly opposite of what you are going through and I am okay with that, it is what it is. As I read different quotes from old dead guys I find myself in good company and am encouraged. Horace Bushnell who died in 1876 said, “By His trials, God means to purify us, to take away all our self-confidence, and our trust in each other, and bring us into implicit, humble trust in Himself.” Of this I couldn’t agree more and that is why I trust God in the good times and more so in the bad, of which I feel that I have had more than my share of. As I go through all that I do, I contemplate my thoughts and the ways I go about things. My mindset often leads me to pray and meditate intensely over what is written in *Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.* Through the purifying process of things like gold, intense fire causes impurities to rise to the surface for easier removal. The process can be long, enduring, tedious, and intensely painful. The process is repeated until the Refiner can see His perfect reflection in what he sees as precious. Trials and tribulations, hardship, health, and even death are often the process by which God purifies the gold of our faith. In our pain we might beg God to quickly end the process, but He knows what’s best for us, even when the process is long and grueling. At the end of the day I take solace in the truth that in times of my greatest need, Christ has always been there to help me, and I have confidence that He always will be, to help transform me into the image of Himself. My prayer is simple, “Heavenly Father, Purify Me, do whatever You feel needs to be done to make me more obedient to Your word, more devoted to serving You, ultimately help me by the power of the Holy Spirit to be more like Your Son, the Lord Jesus, in Whose name I pray, Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support for the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastor…@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.