This word is submitted by Teresa Seputis [ts@godspeak.net]

-----

                     It Is Time To Grow Up

Child of Mine, why are you surprised that fiery trials or difficult
situations would come your way? Don't you realize that you have to 
face and overcome difficulty in order to grow and mature? I want you 
to develop into a mighty overcomer who can stand in faith, so that
you will not be overcome by whatever trial or difficulty comes your
way. I do not want you to remain a small and helpless child who 
constantly needs to be held and carried in your Father's arms. 

Yes, I could have kept you safe from every one of your present day
difficulties--it is within My power to do so. But I wouldn't be a 
very good Father if I pampered you to the point that you were never 
forced to grow up. How can you have the faith necessary to move 
mountains if you never have the opportunity to stand in faith and 
persevere?

Dear one, do not be surprised or angry when I allow a hardship or
difficult situation into your life. I haven't stopped loving you. I
am not mad at you and I am not looking to punish you or torture you. 
I want you to learn to grow in the midst of your situation, so that 
you become strong and mighty in Me, so that you might learn to 
overcome all things. Yes, I have destined you to be victorious in 
Me, a mighty overcomer who cannot be moved. And I want you to grow 
into the full measure of your destiny and learn to stand mighty in
Me. 

Remember how I trained David to be a mighty warrior? I sent him a 
bear and I sent him a lion while he was keeping his father's flock. 
He did not run away and ask Me to protect him. He did not cry out to 
Me in dismay, "Oh God, why are You doing this to me! Don't You love 
me anymore?"  No. he rose up in My strength and wisdom, he fought in 
My power, and he overcame. This is how I trained him for the day that
he had to face Goliath. And because of his training, he was able to
overcome in the real battle.

Little one, there are Goliaths waiting for you, and it is necessary
that I train you and prepare you for that day. This means that I
will allow adversity and trial into your life. But I do not ask you
to face it alone--I am there with you. I want you to learn to stand
mighty in Me and to overcome by faith.