Trials & Tribulations

by Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal

One outstanding trait defining the Crosshill community is our commitment to prayer. We partner in earnestly praying for hearts to be transformed, lives to change, for the power of the Holy Spirit to be released, and for God to be glorified in the process. In His infinite love and wisdom God begins to answer our collective prayer, and as His plan unfolds, we unravel a bit. Sometimes, instead of our prayers being answered with the expected fruit of the spirit harvest, we are faced with serious challenges. A student is caught lying, cheating, or being disrespectful. Perhaps it has been revealed that they are failing academically, struggling socially, or backsliding spiritually. When these situations arise it’s easy to fall into the enemy’s deception that somehow our parenting is damaging them, the school is failing them, their friends are corrupting them, and God is abandoning them. It is time to take a deep breath, and turn to the guidance and perspective of God’s Word. 

I love how the Bible is brutally honest about the failures and weaknesses of it's greatest heroes. God doesn’t hold back if they lied, committed adultery, were callous or criminal. Even King David, a “man after God’s own heart”, wasn’t spared. Although he was anointed and chosen to lead God’s people, his human weakness, poor choices, and the moments he lacked character were in the spotlight for his benefit and ours. Along the journey from pasture to palace our Heavenly Father was at work, building godly character into David’s life. God knew that David couldn’t become a giant-slayer or Israel’s greatest king without going through trials and tribulations in his everyday life. In the process, whether facing tragedy or triumph, David’s response to God was the same; He sought God and praised Him with all of his heart. 

God is preparing our children for their calling, and a great deal of what they need to learn is tucked away in each problem, challenge, temptation, and persecution. He is looking to upgrade their level of faith, trust, and reliance on Him. As God is ever so efficient, we are also being tempted and challenged in the way we choose to handle these discipleship opportunities. Will we hijack the Lordship of Jesus by removing our children from a situation, avoiding, escaping, and bypassing a divine lesson because of our desire to protect them from discouragement, and pain? Or will we align our perspective to God’s, by encouraging and equipping them to face each situation with prayer, thanksgiving, and a determination to persevere? The greatest victories are achieved through the toughest battles, and God is in every detail.

 
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– Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal