Test, trials, and tribulations oh my!

Hey everyone! It has literally been forever since my last post (I feel like I’ve said that before haha). I really can’t believe it has almost been three years (gotta do betterrr)!! I made a vow to do better so you will be able to view the site more with updated post! My last post I decreed that the next one would be about good news. Well, the good news is I got into law school! (by the grace of God haha). I am currently in my second year, and maybe now you can understand why I haven’t posted in so long. Becoming a lawyer is something I have longed and prayed for. I know that it is my purpose to become an attorney as well as many other things. It has not been easy, but I have been making it through all the test, trials, and tribulations with an irrefutable smile on my face. One thing about walking in purpose that we all need to realize is that the adversary DOESN'T want to see us achieve God’s will for our lives. Gods will is always beneficial for us. Not only is his will beneficial to us, his will for us can help others too. The enemy DOESN’T want to see us victorious and illuminating dark places. I want you to know that the test, trials, and tribulations you may be facing while walking toward your purpose are apparent for two reasons. First, the enemy is trying to hinder you from the opportunities God has for you. Second, God wants to see how bad you want it.

First semester of law school started off great! I ran for the Student Bar Association Section Senator and I won! I was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International in undergrad, and I was inducted into the law school chapter. Subsequently, I was selected to be a 1L Marshal. Certainly, those positions added to my accolades, and I was excited for the months to come. Little did I know, the test, trials, and tribulations were around the corner. I was excited to be in law school. This has been my career goal since I was a child. I was prepared for class and I never missed a day. Final exams came around and I felt confident. That was until my grades came out. Although I didn’t fail any classes my GPA did not meet the requirement for me to keep my scholarship, and I was placed on academic probation. Of course, I was confused because of how much effort I put into my studies, and the results did not convey my efforts. So I just pushed onto second semester. This semester really took my faith to another level. I started to have car issues. There were days I did not know how I was going to get to school. I had to get about 8 rental cars, and some days ride back to Montgomery, AL from Atlanta, GA with my classmate who usually commutes every day. I wasn’t accustomed to driving back and forth to Atlanta until Friday to go to work because I stay with my grandparents during the week. I was under immense pressure and felt overwhelmed by my car situation. I got my car back and it was still not working properly. Oil would spew out of the engine, and the car would smoke while I was driving. During the car situation things began to be more difficult. I was on my way back to school getting gas, and recieved a heart wrenching phone call. I was informed that my best friend since the first grade had passed away. I flew back to NJ for his service to bid my farewells to him. I immediately flew back for school. 

Samuel Louis Morales

The pressure became more immense when I got a phone call two weeks later from my grandma in NJ telling me that my Grandpop had passed away. If anyone knows me they know I absolutely love my pop.  

William Tilghman "Pop"

At this point with my car acting crazy, scholarship being taken away due to grades, and two of my favorite people passing away, I began to feel like this was not the route that God had ordained for me. Then I had to recollect on a time where three different prophets (prophets are people sent by God to reveal things to us when the time is necessary) on three different occasions told me where God was sending me career wise. Once I made that recollection, I understood that I was exactly where I needed to be. Of course, students in school knew some of the challenges I was facing, and they couldn’t understand how I was coming to school every day with a smile on my face. One of the MANY NOSEY students at my school stated that I smile a lot and that they questioned whether I was really happy (how was that any of their business idk) but I replied saying the joy that I have the world didn’t give it to me and it can’t take it away.

After a year like that I had to take a vacation (haha). Going into my second year, I missed my first day of school due to car issues again. I was one of the fortunate ones to be a part of the second chance program which allotted me the opportunity to stay in school for another year. Things were made more cumbersome when the school denied my financial aid award. My job was starting to be very difficult to go to.  I felt like I was being attacked in every corner. I had some people encouraging me to drop out of school and pursue something else. If I didn’t have faith in God I probably would have quit. Here I am now in my second year of law school claiming the victory that was already predestined for me. Although I still owe a couple thousand for school, I still wake up and grind to meet this goal. Two different students have tried to sabotage my law school career, but what they can’t conceptualize is what God has ordained no man can destroy. In the voice of the beautiful Maya Angelou “Still I rise!”

I want to encourage you to always believe that your present sufferings can’t be compared to the glory God is going to reveal in you (Romans 8:18). Test, trials, and tribulations are inevitable. They come to make us stronger and wiser so we can be equipped for the next level God has for us. Always remember that with every test, trial, and tribulation comes triumph! Do not get weary in well doing for you will reap in due season if you faint not (Galatians 6:9). As you have read, I was being tested in many different areas of my life. All I could do is keep the faith. Just about every Sunday at church I had to give God praise. I love the saying, “Don’t wait until the battle is over give God praise now.” In the midst of your test, trials, and tribulations giving God praise shows him that you trust and believe that the outcome will be victorious for you! It shows that when you can’t take anymore physically and emotionally you surrender to him. That’s what I did. Although there were times I just felt like God wasn’t there to help, I just wanted to give up on everything even my spiritual life. When I was in that phase God would send a word through my pastor and even the cafeteria lady at the school to get me back on track. It’s hard walking in purpose. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, but God has equipped you to embark on the seasons that you have faced or are facing. Keep reading, keep praying, keep fasting, and know that God will provide. Even when all hope is lost God will come and restore you to walk this course. God is not going to let you down. He has plans for you to prosper and not to be harmed (Jeremiah 29:11).

All in all, remember that the adversary knows that you are going to win, and that’s exactly why he is trying his hardest to destroy you. That’s why you must stay vigilant at all times because the devil only comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Fear not for God is with you always! God wants to know that he can trust you with the many blessings he has in store for you. While you face these test, trials, and tribulations God will send out a blessing to let you know he is still there. One of my blessings was suing the mechanic in magistrate court. I represented myself while he was represented by counsel. The judgment was awarded in my favor. God also blessed me with a new car. God also blessed me with a new job. God also is blessing me while I am in school to remain faithful and know I will earn my Juris Doctor degree. Joshua 1:9 tells us, “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” You are strong! That’s why you can have an irrefutable smile while walking through any storm! You have been assigned this mountain to show someone that it can be MOVED! I don’t know what your test, trial or tribulation may be but I can assure you that you ARE AN OVERCOMER, YOU CAN CONQUER ANYTHING with GOD on your side. You will win! Do not fear for the Lord is with you. He didn’t give you a spirit of fear, but he did give you one of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND (2 Timothy 1:7). Don’t give up on your dreams and aspirations because things don’t seem to be working out. If everything worked out perfectly we wouldn’t know God to be a provider. Romans 5:3 tells us, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience hope:”. Remember that faith is the substance of all things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). People will not understand why and how you are still moving forward, but just know it’s not meant for them to understand. Continue to adhere to the voice of God and know you are victorious! Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf (1 Peter 4:16). Sometimes the test, trials, and tribulations may seem never ending (trust me I know because undergrad wasn’t a walk in the park either haha) but just keep moving! You can only be stopped if you quit moving. No matter what’s ahead. Keep moving.