Run the Race
John 16:33 tells us, "In this world there will be trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Trials, God doesn't promise His children an easy life. In fact He tells us we're guaranteed to have trouble.
Why? My children's favorite question and as a Christian I often find myself asking God the same question, "Why God?" Why does sickness attack those whom love Christ? Why do insurmountable circumstances surround believers daily? Facebook seems to broadcast problems. The internet connects us like never before and can make us hyperaware of struggles and illnesses. Cancer, AIDS, orphans, disease, poverty, homelessness. Ignorance is no longer an answer.
We have to rest in God's peace that He has overcome this world. We are just passing through as God uses us as His instruments. Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that God, "Gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Sometimes it takes pain for us to realize our own weaknesses drive us towards Christ.
When everything is smooth sailing and there are no problems in sight, we might have an inclination to rely on ourselves. God allows trials so we can be humbled at His feet and wait.
Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh. We are unsure of the burden Paul carried here on earth, but he tells us why. God revealed the secret of trials, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of letting bitterness reside in his heart, Paul tells us, "For Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Such a difficult but valuable lesson. God's trials are to sharpen us so that we can further His kingdom. None of our trials compare to His trial. Take heart, God has overcome the world, the tomb is empty.
Trials, God doesn't promise His children an easy life. In fact He tells us we're guaranteed to have trouble.
Why? My children's favorite question and as a Christian I often find myself asking God the same question, "Why God?" Why does sickness attack those whom love Christ? Why do insurmountable circumstances surround believers daily? Facebook seems to broadcast problems. The internet connects us like never before and can make us hyperaware of struggles and illnesses. Cancer, AIDS, orphans, disease, poverty, homelessness. Ignorance is no longer an answer.
We have to rest in God's peace that He has overcome this world. We are just passing through as God uses us as His instruments. Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that God, "Gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Sometimes it takes pain for us to realize our own weaknesses drive us towards Christ.
When everything is smooth sailing and there are no problems in sight, we might have an inclination to rely on ourselves. God allows trials so we can be humbled at His feet and wait.
Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh. We are unsure of the burden Paul carried here on earth, but he tells us why. God revealed the secret of trials, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of letting bitterness reside in his heart, Paul tells us, "For Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Such a difficult but valuable lesson. God's trials are to sharpen us so that we can further His kingdom. None of our trials compare to His trial. Take heart, God has overcome the world, the tomb is empty.
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