Life is always full of issues. The moment one problem comes, the next one quickly arrives. The moment one appears solved, it suddenly isn't. We all have rough days. Often, we think that our problems are unlike anyone else’s. We think if people only knew what we were going through, they would feel sorry for us.
Let’s look at the Apostle Paul’s response to his rough days.
“We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Just what kind of rough days did Paul have?
“…in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Which one of us has ever endured this kind of suffering? Paul held the title for rough days. No matter the persecution against him, he didn’t need anyone to feel sorry for him. Paul’s concern wasn’t for himself. His concern was for all the churches the Holy Spirit had brought to life through his ministry.
Paul never let his deep concern for the churches be more important than God, the Source of his life. Paul could say he wasn’t crushed, perplexed, or in despair because he was focused on God. He wasn’t focused on the persecution that came against him. His purpose and power came from His Father, and no problem could ever discourage or deter him. Paul knew His Father would never forsake him, but would supply all his needs.
When you focus on your problem, you may think God has forsaken you. Perhaps you don’t want to admit this to yourself, but when your problem has more power in your life than God, it’s a sign you believe God won’t help you. Until you believe in your heart that God loves you so much He will never forsake you, you’ll have a trust issue.
You will miss the Holy Spirit's attempt to lead you through a problem when you focus on it. Your problem isn’t the source of your life! God is your everlasting, unlimited, and never-forsaking Source! When you know that God is the Source of everything you need in this life, no matter what your circumstance, you “rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You don’t view problems as divine gifts. Instead, you focus on God’s gift to you—Jesus. You know He has overcome. So seek the Father, the true Source of your life! Never seek pity from others! They don’t need to see your problem. You need, and they need to see your God.
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Do you wish your rough days to empower your life, or do you want Jesus to empower you? Jesus has sat down at His Father’s right hand because His work on your behalf is done. You run a race right now that Jesus has already finished. Run your race in the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the flesh’s insatiable need for pity. Run your race in the Spirit, and you’ll persevere and endure. Run your race always looking unto Jesus, and you won’t be crushed, perplexed, or in despair! The life of Jesus will be manifested in you!
No comments:
Post a Comment