Purpose For Your Pain
" We do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)."
Paul and Timothy knew firsthand what suffering was. As you can see in the above verses, there were times that it seemed all hope was gone. At one point they even "despaired of life." Notice though, they did not lose their focus. Though the pain and the suffering were beyond what they thought they could handle, they relied on God-His power and strength to get them through the difficult times. What a great example for you and me today. Throughout life, in the good times and bad, as a follower of Christ, you have a hope that is not dependent on your circumstances or people, but on the Lord Jesus. He is the Rock~the anchor for your soul. He is the One who never changes. He is the only constant you and I have in this world. As you and I remain steadfast in Him, no matter what difficulties come our way, we know that God will work it all out for our good and His glory. You and I are called according to His glorious purpose, and that purpose is to make us more like Jesus.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11)." None of us like to go through pain and we want a quick fix. We want the storm to be over and pray for God to take us out of it immediately. Sometimes though, God allows the storm to linger. In His sovereignty, He knows what is best for you and for me. Although we may not see it at the time nor understand it, one day in glory, it will all be worth it. "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)."
This trial you are going through, the pain, the sadness, and the suffering will not last. Have you ever thought that maybe God is testing your faith. Maybe He is growing you in Him. Maybe He is allowing this very trial because He trusts you with it; He knows that you will remain faithful and as you do, your light will shine so brightly in the darkness for everyone around you to see. And God gets the glory!
It's a beautiful thing my friend, to continue to praise God and have an overwhelming peace despite the worst of circumstances. It is in fact, supernatural! Jesus is the only one who can give you true joy and when you have the Spirit living inside of you, it will show on the outside. The world does not understand it and think, 'How can they have joy and smile when they are going through something so hard?' Your life is a living testimony of the goodness of God! He is always good no matter what you go through and no matter what people do or say to you! Whether you realize it or not, people are watching your life. So my friend we need to always be ready to give an answer as to why we have the hope we do! No one else has your testimony and no one can deny what God has done in your life.
Life begins with Jesus. As we come to realize this, we patiently endure through the hard times. We keep pressing on no matter how difficult the situation. We simply don't give up. Yes, there may be times when we want to give up, oh, but God! He is always there to help us, defend us, encourage us, strengthen us, shield us, hold us, keep us, empower us and shower us with His grace. Let me encourage your heart right now my friend, God has not brought you this far to let you go. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:3-6)."
Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Don't let anything move you. Know that God is for you and will never ever leave you. His love is unfailing and every day you breathe He will give you the grace to walk the road you are on. You are a child of the King, chosen and precious in His sight. God is good all the time-yes even in the bad times! As you focus on Him and the truth of His word He will supply everything you need and will equip you to do what He has called you to do. Hold on my friend, help is on the way!
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11)."
Paul and Timothy knew firsthand what suffering was. As you can see in the above verses, there were times that it seemed all hope was gone. At one point they even "despaired of life." Notice though, they did not lose their focus. Though the pain and the suffering were beyond what they thought they could handle, they relied on God-His power and strength to get them through the difficult times. What a great example for you and me today. Throughout life, in the good times and bad, as a follower of Christ, you have a hope that is not dependent on your circumstances or people, but on the Lord Jesus. He is the Rock~the anchor for your soul. He is the One who never changes. He is the only constant you and I have in this world. As you and I remain steadfast in Him, no matter what difficulties come our way, we know that God will work it all out for our good and His glory. You and I are called according to His glorious purpose, and that purpose is to make us more like Jesus.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11)." None of us like to go through pain and we want a quick fix. We want the storm to be over and pray for God to take us out of it immediately. Sometimes though, God allows the storm to linger. In His sovereignty, He knows what is best for you and for me. Although we may not see it at the time nor understand it, one day in glory, it will all be worth it. "Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)."
This trial you are going through, the pain, the sadness, and the suffering will not last. Have you ever thought that maybe God is testing your faith. Maybe He is growing you in Him. Maybe He is allowing this very trial because He trusts you with it; He knows that you will remain faithful and as you do, your light will shine so brightly in the darkness for everyone around you to see. And God gets the glory!
It's a beautiful thing my friend, to continue to praise God and have an overwhelming peace despite the worst of circumstances. It is in fact, supernatural! Jesus is the only one who can give you true joy and when you have the Spirit living inside of you, it will show on the outside. The world does not understand it and think, 'How can they have joy and smile when they are going through something so hard?' Your life is a living testimony of the goodness of God! He is always good no matter what you go through and no matter what people do or say to you! Whether you realize it or not, people are watching your life. So my friend we need to always be ready to give an answer as to why we have the hope we do! No one else has your testimony and no one can deny what God has done in your life.
Life begins with Jesus. As we come to realize this, we patiently endure through the hard times. We keep pressing on no matter how difficult the situation. We simply don't give up. Yes, there may be times when we want to give up, oh, but God! He is always there to help us, defend us, encourage us, strengthen us, shield us, hold us, keep us, empower us and shower us with His grace. Let me encourage your heart right now my friend, God has not brought you this far to let you go. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:3-6)."
Keep fighting the good fight of faith. Don't let anything move you. Know that God is for you and will never ever leave you. His love is unfailing and every day you breathe He will give you the grace to walk the road you are on. You are a child of the King, chosen and precious in His sight. God is good all the time-yes even in the bad times! As you focus on Him and the truth of His word He will supply everything you need and will equip you to do what He has called you to do. Hold on my friend, help is on the way!
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11)."
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