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

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                    I Am For You And Not Against You

Child of Mine, I am with you in all things. I am for you and not against
you. The enemy of your soul would try to convince you that I am upset
with you or displeased with you or disappointed in you as I allow you to
go through difficult times of growth and character development. That is
merely a lie from him to designed to discourage you. My heart is with
you and I delight in you, even in the midst of your struggles and
difficult growth.

Child, I do require that you grow and mature in Me. I require that you
put off your old nature and take on Mine. During that process, there
will be times when I must force you to look at areas of your life that
you don't want to see. I may show you areas of inadequacy or character
defects. I may you aware of areas of your heart that harbor a critical
spirit, bitterness, unforgiveness or ungodly fear; I may convict you of
sin. I am not throwing these things into your face to condemn you, but
to motivate you to bring them to Me, so that we might work on them
together to fix them.

I know that you feel very dirty and inadequate during those times, and
I understand that it can be scary to come into My light when I am
exposing areas of your life where you fall short. But I urge you to
run to Me instead of away from Me; I will not turn My back on you or
push you away. I will not reject you, instead I will help you. I will
cleanse you and transform you, and make you more like My own dear Son
Jesus. That is the whole reason that I am exposing these things in your
life in the first place--it is because I want to give you victory over
them and I want to raise you up as an overcoming one.

I know that you are going to struggle in those times; I expect it of
you. I am pleased when you come bravely to Me in the face of difficult
growth and tell Me that you willing submit to My hand and cooperate
with Me in this as best as you are able.

There are going to be times when I push you to your limits in order that
you might grow. I want you to know two things during those times: first
I will never push you past your limit or give you more than you can
endure, and I will be with you in those times to help you through them.
Second, I do not expect the same standard of behavior from you when you
are pushed to the limit that I expect when all is are going well for you.
I understand that the stress of My refiner's fire will at times diminish
your ability to see clearly and you may have confusion or wrong attitudes.
I want you to understand that as well, and know that I will correct those
wrong attitudes at the proper time instead of condemning you for them. Do
not allow the enemy of your soul to enter in with condemnation at those
times, and do not allow him to push you away from Me. I am never going to
be disappointed with you or push you away just because you struggle in
the heat of My fire.

I am a God of love, and My hand is upon you for good. I am transforming
you to remove the defective areas of your life where the enemy has a
stronghold over you. I am systematic and I am able to work My glory in
you. My purpose is not to torment you or to harm you in any way, but to
deliver you from the greater harm and condemnation of the enemy.

Do not be afraid, for every time that I refine, I do bring forth pure
gold. The process will be easier on you if you willingly cooperate with
Me in it. But either way, I will accomplish My transformation purpose
in you and I will bring you forth as pure gold and as a work of beauty
and perfection.

I you do not remember anything else during the times of My refining
fire, then remember this one thing: I am for you in those times and not
against you.