I'm not going to pretend that I'm the only soul out there who has been subject to serious and intense trial. That would be arrogant, but it is during trial that we find ourselves most conformed to the image of Christ. He was "a man of sorrow, well acquainted with grief." We are called to be like Christ in all ways, so it should stand to reason that we not think ourselves any better than our Savior. It seems in some modern evangelical circles there is a sort of "prosperity gospel" being preached. We are promised joy and peace and comfort, and while these are indeed byproducts of a close walk with the Lord; we should remind ourselves that there have been many promises from Christ himself that we would face "many troubles." I find myself in some of these very circumstances and I am reminded of a few choice verses at this juncture in my life. First I am reminded of the words of Paul when he wrote in Romans 5 that we are to rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces steadfastness, and steadfastness produces character, and character produces hope. That is the assembly line process by which hope is produced. We are to endure these sufferings and within the fire and pressure of trial, it is here that our metal is tested best. We are stripped bare and the truest core of our person is exposed, we cling hardest to what we find at the very center of our heart. For some that is bitterness, for some it is fleeting pleasures of the world, but he who builds his house on the Rock is not easily shaken. This time of trial and affliction in my life has provided some opportunities for others to witness how a Christian responds to hardship. They get to see the response under fire and the living of the promise that "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord." (Philippians 3:8)
Not as though I am exempt from grief during these times, that too would be arrogant to say that I was above the melancholy associated with the pain of loss. But it is in this state that I get to see how much more impressive the promise is that states "For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Cor 4:17) Or, how about the pleas of Moses in Psalm 90? He is asking the God of the universe to provide succor and gladness in equivalent measure to the suffering that his people have endured. I don't know about you, but I think it takes some serious intestinal fortitude to remind the God of the universe not to forget a promise.
Lastly, I would like to leave you with some encouragement that I received and found tremendously uplifting from a man who has long since beat me to his eternal weight in glory.
"The kingdom of God comes not into our souls with observation, nor does it grow in our souls with observation. And whether the good thus borne upon the raven-wing of trial, thus embosomed in the lowering cloud of some crushing providence, be immediate or remote, it matters little; sooner or later it will accomplish its benign and heaven-sent mission, and then trial will expand its dark pinions and fly away, and sorrow will roll up its somber drapery and disappear." -Octavius Winslow
The rest of his devotional on our present sufferings can be found: here.
Not as though I am exempt from grief during these times, that too would be arrogant to say that I was above the melancholy associated with the pain of loss. But it is in this state that I get to see how much more impressive the promise is that states "For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Cor 4:17) Or, how about the pleas of Moses in Psalm 90? He is asking the God of the universe to provide succor and gladness in equivalent measure to the suffering that his people have endured. I don't know about you, but I think it takes some serious intestinal fortitude to remind the God of the universe not to forget a promise.
Lastly, I would like to leave you with some encouragement that I received and found tremendously uplifting from a man who has long since beat me to his eternal weight in glory.
"The kingdom of God comes not into our souls with observation, nor does it grow in our souls with observation. And whether the good thus borne upon the raven-wing of trial, thus embosomed in the lowering cloud of some crushing providence, be immediate or remote, it matters little; sooner or later it will accomplish its benign and heaven-sent mission, and then trial will expand its dark pinions and fly away, and sorrow will roll up its somber drapery and disappear." -Octavius Winslow
The rest of his devotional on our present sufferings can be found: here.
As always, well-stated. And a needed reminder for all of us. Please know we are praying for you during your time of loss. I cannot imagine what you are going through. Hugs across the miles...
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