8. March 10 ,2014- Eighth day of Lent

Be Serene in All Times

Jesus, born for Mary and Joseph ,born for us, faced many trials in His life.Starting from the threatens of King Herod to the day of resurrection, Jesus was exposed to the trials of this world. In the desert by Satan, among people-their questions and traps, the pain that He suffered the day before He was arrested, the trails in the court, the hard journey to the Mt Golgotha, the Crucifixion.

What amazes is the serene nature of Jesus. At all times, no matter how tough the situation was, Jesus stood calm and peaceful. How He was able to be so? Let us scroll back to our own life, how do we approach different situations? Are we able to stay as the same person, calm and peaceful, at all times? When our life flows without much trouble, we are happy and stable, but the moment a small disturbance happen to this normal flow, we get tensed. We transform into a different person who will be impatient, disturbed, irritating, sometimes angry or stressed. Our face reflects the emotions of our heart and it will be found tightened in all muscles. We feel a burden on our shoulders and neck making us ill. A speck of worldly trial converts us to an entirely different character which inturn will affect our relations, homes, children, work etc. Why this dual personality?

In James 1:8 it says..."being a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways."

This is were Jesus was strong. We can see in the Bible that, after a period of exposure to the world and it chaos, Jesus retires Himself to an isolated place and He prays. His prayer was the strongest weapon. He constantly talked to God the Father who gave Him the power to face this world with a serene mind. This can be seen also during the night before He was betrayed, Jesus cried and prayed to the Heavenly Father when He felt Himself weak and troubled.

" Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.”  And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”- Mathew 26:36-39

This is the marvelous way of approaching the worldly trials. Jesus was strong in His faith to Our Father in Heaven. He always gave honor in the name of the Father.As a little child who cries to the parents and depends on them helplessly..we must submit ourselves to our Lord. Because He says,

“Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?
    Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
    I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.- Isaiah 49:15-16

This is how God love us. Hence in all our troubles and trials, let us remain serene and strong in faith to Our Father, who will make things happen only for our good. Whenever we feel loosing our mind, keep calm retire to an isolated place and cry out to Lord, bring your helplessness to Him, He will surely give you the Strength. Make Prayer Continuous ,regularly talk to our Father.

Prayer
Lord help us to be serene in all times by continually praying to you and strongly believing in you and perfectly submitting to you. Lord my strength reside in me.Amen

Reading 
Mathew 6:26-34

7. March 9 ,2014- Seventh day of Lent

Learn to say "NO'' to what is Against Gods Way.

We often get exposed to situations that compels us to do something or to compromise in, which we actually dislike.  We become 'people pleasers' to keep up a relationship or to get a favor. This is a great trap in which we knowingly fall. We do this for a momentary happiness or gain but this can tumble down our relation with God.

By doing something just for the sake of the world can block a great plan or a great blessing that God has for us. God must have paved way for a beautiful carving for us if we would have stood for Him in such times. But this get destroyed when we compromise His ways for our momentary satisfaction by joining with friends in gossiping or judging others,by enjoying the lust of world for the sake of company, or when we stand selfish among our brothers or fight with them. In all such cases, not only we are committing mistakes but also we are promoting others to deepen their mistakes instead of making them realize and turn back from their flaws.

Let us remember Jesus who stood firm in the temptations that He had to face in the wilderness. He was too weak and hungry to be trapped by satan , but He stood firm in God the Father and He conquered the evil traps. This firmness in God raised Jesus from death to eternal life.If He would have fallen for the devil what would the fate be?But He stood firm and at last angels came and served Him,this is Gods protection if we stand for Him.And this is an everlasting one, and not like the momentary worldly pleasures. Mathew 4:1-11

Hence where ever we are. in whatever groups we may be in, or in however situations we are in, We Should Stand as Gods Children..All Should See the Living Lord in Us. We should be ale to say NO to what we are aware is Ungodly.

Titus 2:12- 'instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, '

It is our dependency on worldly passions that compel us to be so.It is said  in '1 Timothy 6:9

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.. '

Hence let us be wise in God each second. Let us give our mind to God so that in all situations He can guide us and give us the power to say No  to the worldly traps.  

'So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.'- James 4:17

Lord help us and give us wisdom to understand what is not right and give us the power to deny it and say No..because it is You who created us and You know us more than we know ourselves. Amen.

Reading;

Psalms 119:1-10,33-40

6. March 8, 2014- Sixth Day of Lent

Never Fail to Pray

Often there arise times that we don't feel like praying.  We may be lazy or busy with many things around us that we hardly remember to pray. A failure to pray will take us far from Gods care and protection. 

Whenever we feel a dryness in prayer or when we are helpless that we are not able to find peace of mind for praying, we can still do one thing..just sit for a moment for God. Where ever you are or what ever you do..just recede to a corner and stay calm for God..hopefully this is something we can do. Even Jonah was able to pray in the stomach of a shark.  If we are ready to do this..rest God will take care. 

'Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.…Pray without ceasing'- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.                                                                                                                         - Ephesians 6:18-20

“But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

And when you pray, don’t be like the people who don’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them. Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.So this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
we pray that your name will always be kept holy.We pray that your kingdom will come—that what you want will be done here on earth, the same as in heaven.Give us the food we need for today.Forgive our sins,    just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us.
 Don’t let us be tempted,
but save us from the Evil One.' "- Mathew 6:9-13

Let us recede to our heart and find a mind to sit for God even when we does not feel like praying..but never cease to find a time for God

Reading 

Mathew 6

5. March 7, 2014- Fifth Day of Lent

Are we really in Lent

During lent we sacrifice something that we like in food or we fast for a time. When we look deep into this action, can we find anything that is really meant to us? The act of leaving something for lent must arise from our heart. It should mold us to a new creation. Leaving food and fasting are just actions that we take but as lent finishes we return back to normal. 

Lent should renew us every time and make us more like the children of God and closer to Him. As Jesus took his friends to the Mount Tabor and showed them how He shined in the glory of God the Father (Mathew 17:1-9) , the transgression should also take place in us and we should shine in the glory of God .

What really Lent means, it is said, 

                     “I will tell you the kind of day I want—a day to set people free. I want a day that you take the burdens off others. I want a day when you set troubled people free and you take the burdens from their shoulders.  I want you to share your food with the hungry. I want you to find the poor who don’t have homes and bring them into your own homes. When you see people who have no clothes, give them your clothes! Don’t hide from your relatives when they need help.”

 If you do these things, your light will begin to shine like the light of dawn. Then your wounds will heal. Your “Goodness” will walk in front of you, and the Glory of the Lord will come following behind you.  Then you will call to the Lord, and he will answer you. You will cry out to him, and he will say, “Here I am.”

Stop causing trouble and putting burdens on people. Stop saying things to hurt people or accusing them of things they didn’t do. Feel sorry for hungry people and give them food. Help those who are troubled and satisfy their needs. Then your light will shine in the darkness. You will be like the bright sunshine at noon. "- Isaiah 58:7-10

This can change us. Let us stop causing trouble with our thoughts or actions to our fellow beings. Let us stop judging others. Let us be able to accept others with a sincere heart and wish them with a pure mind. Let us stop saying things to hurt people. let us stop putting burdens on our dear ones. Let us not be selfish. Because God lives in each and every one, if we hurt them , Our Father will be in pain.

"Whoever is not against us is with us. I can assure you that anyone who helps you by giving you a drink of water because you belong to the Messiah will definitely get a reward.

“If one of these little children believes in me, and someone causes that child to sin, it will be very bad for that person. It would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be drowned in the sea." -Mark 9:40-42

Let us be in a true lent and ask for His wisdom to find out ourselves and what should be cleansed from us to get more closer to Our dear Father. Let us look to the Cross and see the depth of Love God has for us.

Reading:

Mark 9:33-50

4. March 6, 2014- Fourth day of Lent

God loves you unconditionally.

When we try to return to God there are many things that pulls us back and drags us back into the world. Many things that we find  difficult to leave from our life. These things may be our weaknesses or passions or habits . But its true that we find them hard to control. 

When we are more closer to God , His strength is so powerful that when temptations pull us back to the world,God holds us tightly. But when our mind slips away behind the weakness just for a second knowingly ,we get carried away from God. This can happen even in a nano second when we just allow our weaknesses to have a peep back, taking  our mind away from Gods hands to the world. 

Our worldly action makes us exposed to the worldly influence again blocking the rays of wisdom from God, this can create days of vacuum in our life. Days of dryness of spirit. We will find hard to pray, a total numbness in mind. We feel indifferent while attending Holy Mass or while reading Bible. This is the real pain of spirit and Our Father suffers this when we go away from Him.

When we get into such a situation, NEVER LET THIS TAKE OVER US FOR LONG, NEVER LET THIS VACUUM SUCK OVER OUR LIFE'S ESSENCE FROM US,OUR GOD FROM US.

THIS WILL PARASITE ON US AND RUIN US. 

Without a wait CRY OUT TO LORD. CRY IN THE STATE WE ARE. LORD I AM NOT ABLE TO FEEL YOU IN ME.When we cry out to Him in helpless, and as we sit in submission, there will be voice whispering inside you..."MY DEAR CHILD,I LOVE YOU THE WAY YOU ARE,I LOVE YOU ALWAYS EVEN NOW AND FOREVER" This is the amazing love of God for us. No matter how we are, who we are, or the way we are..God is still loving us and He wants us to be in His hands and be perfect like Him. 

In this lent, let us make ourselves special for Him. Let us fight with the world in us and defeat it. For God says;

 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us.- Romans 8:37In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!”-John 16:33

With God in us always , we are complete.

Reading :Psalms 19

3. March 5, 2014- Third day of Lent

Return to God with our Whole Heart.

Let this lent tear our heart and reach its inner corners,for the lord is kind and merciful.

He does not become angry quickly.He has great love. Let His love purify and melt our hearts which has solidified in this materialistic world. 

When we give our heart to Lord, He make it light with our repentance and tears and it melts in his love and He gives us His wisdom. Our heavy hard heart can never rise to God, but a humble heart is light and a repented soul is the perfect gift for God from us. For it says in Psalms 51:17; "The sacrifice that God wants is a humble spirit.God, you will not turn away someone who comes with a humble heart and is willing to obey you."

Hence let us pray;

 "put true wisdom deep inside of me.

7 Remove my sin and make me pure.

God, create a pure heart in me,
    and make my spirit strong again.
11 Don’t push me away
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Your help made me so happy.
    Give me that joy again.
    Make my spirit strong and ready to obey you."- Psalms 51

Reading : Psalms 51

2. March 4, 2014- Second day of Lent

Leave everything and follow Jesus

Leave everything in the hands of God and follow Him. For it is says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."Mathew 6:33. In all things we do or decide let us first submit it to God Almighty, give some time for His wish to be revealed, for His decision is always right for us. A thing that is done or a decision that is made after this submission will definitely turn out to be successful and with everlasting satisfaction. God will send His angel before us and make our path straight. 

Hence lets us learn to leave everything for Him and follow Him.  Sacrificing the world for God has an eternal price for us .Let us be obedient children to Him and not to be conformed to our passions of this world. Let us grid up our minds and set hope in the Almighty grace. For it is said,

	"Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,
	who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses andbrothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life." - Mark 10:29-30

Reading: Psalms 25

1.March 3, 2014- First day of Lent

Be unshakable in Trials Temptations and Sufferings ,Just Believe in God  and trust in His Love

We are borne to a new living hope through resurrection of Christ. Let us be firm in this belief of salvation to be revealed in the last days.  God’s power protects us through our faith, and it keeps us safe until our salvation comes.We are the children of God, this world will reject us and suffer us and will put us in trials. But always remember,

" The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it."  -  1 Corinthians 10:13

These temptations are only for a little while and these troubles test our faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes. Our faith has a goal, and we are reaching that goal—our salvation.

Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

God Builds upon our Sincere Efforts

Whenever we expect to do something we are uncertain about its consequences. we never know whether it is according to Gods wish. We always think that let God decide for me and sit idle. Is it right to do so?

Let us meditate on a gospel;

Mark 7: 32-35

And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him.And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue;and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened."And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.

In this incident we sense that Jesus is doing His duty, the necessary requirements for the healing, and then submitting Himself and the man, He looks upon Heavenly Father for His wish to be done who inturn works upon the man healing him perfectly.

When we go deep into the Gospel , we can see this in every incident. Hence let us always realize that God can never work in our idleness but on our sincere efforts and submissions. As children of God the Father, we have duties assigned by our Almighty Father, we have to pray for it, search for it, procure it and work on it sincerely , with perfect submission to God. Once we have done our part in dedication, God will work on it and give us what He feels is the right for His children.Pray to god to open our ways "Eph'phatha" ,to open our ears, eyes and tongues to seek His wisdom. In His wisdom we will never go astray or helpless.

Prayer

O Living Father in Heaven, help us to reveal our duties in this world and guide us to the right path. Mold us to follow Jesus. Teach us to submit everything to you and work on it with your help. Finally make us patient to receive from you what is right for us and thank you for all you have done for us. Amen.

The Amazing Comforter

Recently there was a report regarding a baby named Zion Isaiah. Zion was a little tiny baby who brought great happiness for his parents in 10 days.He was born with a genetic abnormality called 'Edwards Syndrome' - a trisomy in Chromosome 18 (chromosome 18 was repeated thrice rather than twice( the normal condition))

For the news-Zion Isaiah-report

He lived for 10 days and went back to God.When i scrolled through the pictures of Zion, a pain struck my mind asking 'why did this happen? , why did such a tiny baby suffer this condition? He came to earth just for 10 days. He didn't even knew the world nor did he opened his eyes for its fancies. '  Eventhough he was too tiny, he must have suffered a lot from the abnormal conditions inside his body. The difficulty in breathing, the pain in stomach and liver.. Was he able to tolerate the pain? Was it possible for anyone to comfort him when he even did know what comfort is?

Zion slept serenely. The pictures revealed to me an eternal peace encircling him.I cannot guess the state of Zion in these 10 days, but i felt a peace in his face. As thoughts brooded over my mind God sent his voice ....

" For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.

 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? "            - Isaiah 51:3-9

The Lord shall comfort Zion...his salvation and righteousness shall remain forever. This comfort is the real one. No humans, nothing in the world was able to comfort Zion but God could..it was this peace that was shining on Zions face...The baby who lived just for 10 days is far enough for God to show His love for him and for the world. 

Zion was sleeping but he is awake for the lord..Awake and put on strength ..o arm of the Lord..Yes His arm is the perfect eternal strength for all...He is the amazing comforter.

Prayer

Let us remember Zion. Lord we know that neither the length of our life nor the days that we spent in this world are important for you, but it is our submission to you that matters. Like Zion, teach us to find comfort in You and put on strength from You rather than depending on the world because Your voice says 'for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.' Lead us in your salvation and make us righteous like You wish.
Amen.

Living in Confidence With God

For some days, i was in a tensed state of mind as i had to approach a strange situation in few days of time that is totally new to me. I had to face a new working firm in a foreign land that was encased with customs and formalities.

The mere thought of it roared in my head as a huge wave as how to approach them and convey the requirements. I prayed to God but my mind was with my thoughts hence the submission was less. The whole thing created a confused state around me which made me deaf,dump, blind and forgetful. This is the human world in us.' I' can only do this much.

The d-day arrived and i was completely blank and helpless, the ultimate limit of HUMANS, who alone, can never go further.

I sat idle closing my eyes, my thoughts started fading away, a vast ocean filled my eyes with a cool breeze whistling over it. I sensed that something is filling my thoughts- an unexplained peace- the wind hummed to me- THIS IS MY LOVE .This is how God wants to help us. Not when the 'I' is raging over but when the 'I' is humbly given to God. The Spirit of God showed me the words from OUR ALMIGHTY .

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”    - JEREMIAH 1:6-9

This is the confidence that God can assure us. It is not like the limits of humans but beyond what human can ever expect. For the living word of God says;

"8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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." - ISAIAH 58:8-9

yes! the Lords ways are marvelous, the confidence that God gives us is through our perfect helpless submission of our ways to His wish. We can experience this together.

We all can come into similar situations like this quiet frequently in life. Whenever we get exposed so, firstly realise that, "I" cannot do this alone there is a Saviour for us who bears us always through His love, let us hold tightly to Him and hear His voice. The PEACE of HIS LOVE will guide us.

Prayer

Almighty Living Father, help us to learn your ways, train us to release all our humanly ways  unto your hand so that we are guided in your peace.Amen.

“Let the one who boasts , boast in the Lord.”- 1 Corinthians 1

 "to those whom God has called,.... Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

..... think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

.... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 

...... so that no one may boast before him. 

........It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.  He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

"he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."-Philippians 1:6

Blessed are we if we do not get what we wish.

Quiet surprised to read this thought? This is the eternal truth. Yes my friends, we are blessed when our life is not the way we wish. If our life or desires does not turn out to be the way we wish, always realize that we are in this present situation as God wishes.

We usually plan to live according to Gods plan, should this mean that we get everything according to our dreams?Then it is not the right intention with which we have decided so. Living according to Gods wish is a perfect submission of ourselves to Him. May be we will get bombarded into circumstances that are totally unexpected, that can keep us idle or in a loss. These are times when God cleanse us making ourselves humble with a heart to stand for God in all situations of life.

" I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. "        -Jeremiah 29:11

Never be sad or shattered when something happens against our thoughts, because this is the way that God plans for us. In future we will surely realize that what had happened was good for us. We may feel little in our own eyes, but for God who has assigned us for His mission, We are the unique one and perfect one.

Gaining things with our own selfish efforts may make our dreams fruitful for a while, but it will always stay unsatisfied, giving way for a meaningless life.

Let us reflect ourselves on our life and see 'to whose wish have we given more weightage?' If it is for our wish, realize that we are no where in our life, because our wishes never gets satisfied, its unending and exhausting . But if it is the other way, our life is getting planned by God, then our life is perfect with no errors and is eternal with complete satisfaction.

Let us join our wishes with that of Gods'  and experience the blessings enveloped with true love and satisfaction.

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,  neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts"

                                                                                                -Isaiah 55:8-9 

Prayer

God teach us to follow your way. Open our ears to Your Voice 'The Holy Spirit' and let us be guided by You, for your ways are the perfect one and we are your children, you know what is right for us.
Amen.

OUR EMPTINESS COUNTS IMPORTANT

There are times in our Life when we feel empty and useless to ourselves. We get irritated in such situations, neither can we do something nor be productive. 

In such circumstances always realise that these are the times that we are really being 'used by God'.When we use ourselves according to our desires God can never work in us, but at times we find ourselves unfruitful , realize 'GOD HAS STARTED HIS WORK IN US'.

In this context let us remember Jesus Christ,

              "He was like God in every way,
                but he did not think that his being equal with God was 
           something to use for his own benefit.
7            Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God.
                 He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form.
           During his life as a man,
8                  he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God,
                 even when that caused his death—death on a cross.
9             So God raised him up to the most important place
                   and gave him the name that is greater than any other name." 

                                                                         --Philippians 2:6-9

Hence, if Jesus Christ the son of God humbled himself and emptied himself for we sinners, why cant we? 

In our state of emptiness, God is making us useful for others, may be for our children or partner or friends or even the society. If we look around us we can understand this. Our present unproductive  state is needed for God to make way for His marvelous works.

"Yes, it is God who is working in you. He helps you want to do what pleases him, and he gives you the power to do it.

 Do everything without complaining or arguing .so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. -Philippians 2:13-15

Let us trust in Him and submit ourselves for His will is to be done and it is eternal.