In Times Of Difficulty

OK, sometimes we are on our "A" game and other times we just don't feel like we can complete anything for a variety of reasons.

There may be times of great difficulty in our Christian life when it seems that the weight of our problems is going to crush us. God may seem to be a galaxy away. At these times we learn what it means to walk by faith and not by sight II Cor. 5:7. Have you ever experienced pain, all we want is to get rid of it right away II Corinthians 4:17 says: For momentary, light affliction is producing for us eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison . Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. we should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering. Problems and human limitations have several benefits: (1) They remind us of Christ's suffering for us. (2) They keep us from pride, (3) They cause us to look beyond this brief life, (4) They prove our faith to others, and (5) They give God the opportunity to demonstrate his power.

"See your difficulty as an opportunity"

The other day I was talking with my friend Rick Creech and he was sharing with me about how God is in control. Then I remembered that I belong to the Father, and He wants the very best from me. When I experience a disruptive moment in my life such as chronic pain or any other type of irritation I try to remember that God is in total control. The Father is allowing this interruption and I believe that it's just a test. Do you remember Jesus prayed in the garden, He was fully aware of what doing the Father's will would cost Him. We also must understand and realize that irritations, pain and or suffering in life that we encounter the father is well aware of.

Jesus was well aware of the suffering He was about to encounter. Jesus prayed, "Not what I will, but what You will". Is this your prayer? Are you willing to pay the price to gain something worthwhile in the end. Whens the last time you read 1 Peter 4:1-2 ?

As followers of Christ, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. I would like to think that I could stand - up to the test. As one who experiences chronic pain daily, I've come to realize that sin loses its power to defeat us in our suffering. When we focus on Christ all things are possible, healing of all kinds. Anyone who suffers for doing good and still trustingly obeys in spite of suffering, that person has truly made a clean break with sin. God created the world, and he has faithfully ordered it and kept it since the creation Because we know that God is faithful, we can count on him to fulfill his promises to us. If God can oversee the forces of nature, surely he can see us through the trials we face.


Humbly Yours,
Jim