08/02/2017
Are you experiencing hardship in your life right now? Is there a problem at work, a health issue, the loss of a loved one? There are so many issues that plague us in life, and being a Christian doesn't exempt us from them... but it does help us through them.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."”
John 16:33 ESV
A year and a half ago I was faced with cancer. When I received the news it was definitely bad, but it didn't devastate me because my faith gave me hope. I had a God to turn to who I trusted would see me through this rough spot. When a friend commented about the strength of my faith in the face of such news I told him that my God intended to heal me, and that I was going through this so that I could witness to others and provide them with the same comfort that I was receiving. Little did I know that the first person I would do that for would be my own son. Less than a year later he had the same cancer, and since then there have been others. My struggle has put me in a unique position from which I can minister to them. As for me, my life has changed, but it abounds. I love this quote by Oswald Chambers...
"God does not give us overcoming life: He gives us life as we overcome. The strain is the strength. If there is no strain, there is no strength. Are you asking God to give you life and liberty and joy? He cannot, unless you will accept the strain. Immediately you face the strain, you will get the strength." - Oswald Chambers
In the midst of our many hardships comes new strengths. Scripture tells us that by seeking God in our tribulation, we find a strength of faith and character that is peculiar to the struggle.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4 ESV
I took a health class way back in high school and one of the things we were taught is how our muscles gain in size and strength when lifting weights. As it turned out, the muscle develops many microscopic tears when we lift heavy weight, and then it heals over the next week. As this process is repeated, over and over again, the muscle enlarges and gains in its ability to lift heavier weights. This also accounts for the soreness we feel after exercising, but in the process of tearing and healing comes new strength and this is a model for viewing life's struggles.
In life we have trouble, and as we exercise our faith to overcome it we gain in spiritual strength and our faith increases. A rather close parallel that helps us understand why God expects us to do a spiritual workout every now and then. The strain has beneficial attributes. However, don't confuse the source of the trouble as being from God.
“Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.”
James 1:13-14 ESV
Some problems we face in life are just that... they are natural outcroppings in life; but there are others we bring upon ourselves... they are the products of our own desire. Regardless of which type we are experiencing, God will lead us through them if we place our faith and trust in Him, and if we listen to His voice in the midst of it. If God tells me to plant my crop again after a killing frost, but to plant corn instead of soybeans, then I should listen. If God tells me to stop smoking, then I should listen, and if God tells me to forgive and love my enemy then I should do that too. We should be steadfast in our faith, and obedient to His will.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
James 1:12 ESV
Trials appear, on the surface, to be nothing but pain, suffering, and worry, but don't be deceived. Inside each tribulation there is an opportunity... one that God desires to expose as a blessing. This is His promise to us, and this is the difference that being a Christian and being a man or woman of faith brings. The faithful experience trouble just like the rest of humanity, but the way in which we face and overcome it is the difference... we never face it alone. God takes our oyster and shows us a pearl inside it. The oyster we are presented is just like everyone else's, but the pearl sets it apart, and that is our blessing.
I still go to the hospital regularly to get checked for cancer. The chances of it returning are relatively small, but greater than for the average person who has never experienced it. Each time I make that long drive to the clinic, I don't travel alone, and when the results of my tests come back I am not receiving them alone, and whether I celebrate or face yet another trial, I know I will not be doing that alone either. My God surrounds me, for He is great, and Jesus sits beside me and reminds me to ask in His name as He encourages me. I am never alone and my comforter accompanies me equally in times of hardship and joy.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”
John 14:13-14 ESV
Yes, you will experience tribulation in your life; no it is not being heaped upon you by God; yes He will lead you through your troubles; no he will not ignore your sin in the process; yes you will need to confess and ask forgiveness; no it will not fall on deaf ears; and YES He will bless you in the storm, and see you to the distant shore.
“And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"”
Mark 4:37-41 ESV
If you are experiencing trouble today... awaken Jesus. Tell Him of your fears and what you are going through, and then ask Him to intercede. He is faithful and will either still the raging sea you find yourself in, or increase the size of your boat to accommodate it. You see; it isn't about the sea, or the trouble in our lives... it is about how we face it and the faith we have in our captain, our savior.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your presence in my life and the comfort you provide in times of tribulation. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who tells me to ask in His Name and that He will provide. This world is full of trouble Lord, but you are greater than all of it, and Jesus tells us that He is greater than he who is in the world. No suffering released upon us by Satan is beyond His ability to overcome, and in you Heavenly Father I place my trust always. Bless me Father in the midst of my trials and sorrow; give me your comfort and let me feel your peace as I pray my way through the greatest of my hardships. Your hand is upon me always... what am I to fear? You guide my steps... where am I lost? My answer in you is that I never fear and I am never lost. I praise your name and cling to you with every ounce of strength I can muster. I know that at the moment when my fingers grow too weak to hold on that you will renew me, and that in you I can not fail... you are my deliverer, and my safe harbor.
Rich Forbes
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
1 John 4:4 ESV