Going through "the middle."

It seems there are always 3 stages to trials and tests.  There is always a beginning, a middle, and an end.  The beginning can sometimes be predicted or it can come by an unexpected surprise.  Once the first stage starts, usually it is hard to accept but within time it becomes the "norm" for that moment and then you adapt to it.  Now in the second stage "the middle" this is a waiting period that can be the MOST frustrating because  we do not know how long this process takes.  We can try and have our plans to get over it quicker, but that usually NEVER works and we have to just be patient and endure.  In the last stage, "the end" this is when we have finally overcome the trial/test and we have conquered it, and we are free!!! (But usually a brand new test/trial comes shortly after that, and it starts all over again) :)   So the reason for this blog is because in our family we are currently in stage 2 (the middle)  We are in the waiting period to where we are keeping our eyes focused on God and we know that he has an appointed time for everything.  We know he meets our every  need and that he ALWAYS takes care of his kids.  We are choosing to see the good and the blessings instead of focusing on the waiting process.  This is a tactic the enemy loves to do to people today.  He loves to see people lose their faith, stressed, angry, etc.  When you have Jesus as your Savior you have a peace that surpasses ALL understanding, to where you can be going through any storm, but still look peaceful and rested.  We are not made for this world so we are going to constantly have trials, but God can turn those around for HIS glory and we can have peace through EVERY trial.  As a "baby" christian I used to have the strongest faith when things were ok, then when something went wrong I went to panic/freak out mode.  It took me MANY years to finally see how I was acting and that the true faith comes, "in the storm." It is easy to give God praises when everything is going the way you expected, but when it isn't the plan you had in mind, then usually we lose it and try to "force" it back to the way it used to be.  Maybe you are in one of the stages right now and going through a trial.  I want to encourage you that everyone experiences this, but not everyone has Gods blessing and peace through it.  Do you remember back in school when you knew you had a test that week?  Well the teacher usually tells us far enough in advance so we can prepare for it and study.  In life we don't have that privilege to where God says "Hey (name)____, I am going to give you a trial by having your car break down when you are running late to work and see how you act."  We don't get the "heads up" that we got back in school.  But I am going to let you in on a secret (call it a cliff note if you may ) :)  Gods word has promises that you can hold on to and get them in your mind and heart to when something happens, you can still get through it and have peace and not panic.  You will have the "hindsight" to where you can see that God is using this for HIS glory and that it will strengthen your faith.  So please whatever you are going through, see the good and fix your eyes on our Savior.