From: In Touch Ministries
2 Corinthians 12:10 "Therefore I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong."
Paul was in prison when he wrote half of his letters. He was experiencing physical discomfort, personal attack, and desertion. Why would the Lord allow one of His most faithful servants to endure such suffering? Why didn’t He step in and protect him?
At times God doesn’t rescue us from hard situations because He’s providing something better. We may feel as if He’s abandoning us, but in reality, He is protecting us—not by deliverance but through strengthening.
When trouble and pain pay a visit, we must view the circumstance from God’s perspective and ask ourselves these questions:
• Which is a greater demonstration of the Lord’s power—changing something around me or changing something within my heart?
• Which is the greater faith builder—seeing God’s deliverance from every difficulty or experiencing His presence and strengthening in the midst of trials?
• Which reward is greater—immediate relief from discomfort or tested and refined faith that will result in praise and glory when Christ returns (1 Peter 1:7)?
• Which answer to prayer is greater—that God has removed something and given me external peace, or that He’s left me in a trial and given an internal peace that nothing can steal, not even my circumstances?
Does God have to fix something for you to be happy? If He removes the situation, you may never learn that He is sufficient for everything you need. Instead, let Him change you, and you’ll discover His joy in whatever circumstance comes your way.
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1 comment:
Thanks, I needed that. My son Abram is 30 yrs old and has cerebral palsy, and is also on hospice in his last days of life. Today is my birthday and my sister is visiting from Michigan and Abe had a spell where he was unresponsive for quite some time and his b.p. plummeted and the nurse really thought he was going to pass away but he didn't. Abe came back around and is doing better right now, but we know it can't be much longer. He quit eating several days ago, and he is in the dying process. But God, does give that peace that passes all understanding. He does make you stronger. Please remember my 26 yr old son Chris in your prayers. He is not doing very well with this. Thanks again for your blog, very uplifting.
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