Scriptures: Rom.8:28; 2 Cor.12:6-10
Greetings “Fan”-tastic Passengers,
None of us as born-again believers are exempted from the barrage of adversities, which we face daily, in this broken world. Notwithstanding, this begs the question: “Is it possible for the born-again believer to endure hardship with confidence and assurance?” The answer is an emphatic, YES! However, the secret to our enduring challenging circumstances is learning to rely on God’s special kind of grace -sustaining grace. In 2 Cori nthians12:10 the Apostle Paul declares: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Here he found a never-ending reservoir of God’s power, which was available to him. As a result, when he was faced with faced with challenging situations in his life, he was now able to rely on the Lord’s strength, instead of his own. Ultimately, it is God’s desire, that every born-again believer, tap into this endless supply of power, as we learn how to rely on God’s sustaining grace, to transform every complex circumstance in our lives.
God’s sustaining grace is made perfect in our weakness…
Despite all of our human weaknesses, it is God’s grace, which attains His purposes in a fallen world. Therefore, if we walk in its power, we will be able to face everything in life with confidence and great assurance. This promise from God no doubt, gave the Apostle Paul strength and encouragement in his subsequent sufferings.
The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, beaten, whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, and persecuted. On many occasions, he went without food, water, and shelter (2 Cor.11:23-28). Scripture also speaks of him having an unknown “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor.12:7). Consequently, if God chooses not to deliver us from all of our suffering, do you think that we should ask Him to change our circumstances? Yes. Jesus told His disciples to “Ask, and it will be given to you . . . “ (Matt.7:7, 11). Nevertheless, when God does not answer our prayers for relief, we must continue to trust that He has a higher purpose in mind, for allowing the suffering.
Paul’s affliction, for example, was for a specific reason. It was to restrain him from becoming prideful because of, “exceedingly great revelations” he had received from the Lord (2 Cor.12:7). Without this torment, in his human frailty, he would have forgotten his absolute dependency on God. Just imagine for a moment, the Apostle was instrumental in preaching the gospel and impacting lives for Jesus Christ, all over the Roman Empire. He was instrumental in the discipleship of the early church, and wrote most of the New Testament. In his human weakness, the possibility existed for pride, to cripple and potentially disable his ministry. Ultimately, there was nothing which Paul could have done, for example, praying more passionately, developing more faith, serving more diligently, which could move the hand of the Lord to banish this affliction from him.
As a result of this situation, the Apostle testified that he: “…learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil.4:11). He resorted that the sustaining grace of God, was sufficient to support and carry him through any adversity (2 Cor.12:9-10). Today, we too can pattern the example of the Apostle Paul, as in our suffering, we learn to wholly depend on the Lord’s strength, when the storms of life are raging violently, with winds that are contrary and tempestuous.
Grace empowers us to endure when circumstances remain unchanged…
Perhaps you have been praying earnestly to God regarding Him bringing change for the better, to a particular situation in your life. Despite all the praying, however, you find that you arrive at the red traffic light of disappointment and discouragement, as the circumstance for which you have been seeking God’s breakthrough, remain unchanged or worsened. When a situation of this calibre occurs, it is natural, in your frail humanity, to wonder, “Does God even care about me?” Or “Has He abandoned me?” Slowly, you begin to slip into a frame of mind, which thinks that God is distant and unconcerned about your situation.
Why do we give up so easily in challenging circumstances?
Human beings tend to give up trusting in God’s grace to sustain them whenever they face challenging situations because of the following reasons:
If this is your situation, I want to assure you that God does not get angry when you have difficulty in trusting Him. Instead, He is more than able to handle your questions, doubt, and frustration. However, you must be completely open and honest with the Lord, as you allow Him to comfort and encourage your doubting and fearful heart. Compassionately, as you begin to trust in Him, He will move you from fear and doubt to faith and trust in Him.
4-truths to know about adversity…
Despite the pain, suffering and loss of the fiery trials, which we might be experiencing, the grace of God, works by unleashing a type of supernatural strength, which is able to keep us going and to bear us up, under the weight of our trials. In addition, we may at times experience perplexity, as to how to pray. Notwithstanding, the Holy Spirit, indwells the born-again believer and strengthens us in our state of weakness. Ultimately, our inarticulate longings to pray properly, are an indication to us, that the indwelling Holy Spirit, is already helping us, by interceding for us in our hearts, making requests that our Heavenly Father will certainly answer (Rom.8:26).
Like fuel which fires up an engine to run its course, the grace of God ignites the determination to keep going no matter how fierce the storms of life may be. Have you ever wondered why some born-again believers never lose their joy and peace, despite the tremendous difficulties which they may be facing? This is because, even while in our suffering, God’s grace fills our lives, so that we can still bear the fruit of the Spirit and be able to: “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).
Consequently, this is how the grace of God, sustains His people, while they are under duress
Grace reminds us that God is always with us as our friend and supporter. Some of our families and close friends, may walk away from us, while we are suffering but God, by His grace, will never forget nor abandon us (Heb.13:5). God’s amazing grace points us toward the Father’s goal, in allowing the challenges into which we fall at times. Nevertheless, despite our suffering, pain, and loss, we can be content in knowing that we are in the center of His will.
Grace reminds us that God uses trials to strengthen our faith and deepen our intimacy with Him (1 Pet.5:10). Amazingly, grace also assures us that the power of the adversary is restricted by God, as to what he is permitted to do to His servant. In addition, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (Job 1:12; 1 Cor.10:13).
Subsequently, grace gives us faith to believe that, amidst living in a broken world, which has been corrupted by sin, God will transform our sufferings and dark crises, into moments of bright opportunities (Gen.1:31; John 16:33; 1 Cor.13:12; Rom.3:23; 8:22, 28).
Finally, as a born-again believer, you too, like the Apostle Paul, can learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, in times of trouble. Whenever challenging situations comes your way, you must acknowledge your helplessness apart from the Lord. Then, with all your heart, you must cry out to Him for guidance and comfort, to sustain you, while you endure the fiery trial, which you are facing. One thing is certain and that is, God cares about you, even while you find yourself in the most difficult of circumstances. In addition, He has promised to take your dark crises and by His grace, cause them to work together for your good (Rom.8:28). I encourage you to trust the Lord and His amazing grace because He alone has the power to transform every complex situation that you are experiencing, into something wonderful.
Stay strong! Stay encouraged!
Many thanks for your continued support, in purchasing my music. If you have already purchased yours, you may also wish to consider purchasing music to bless the life of someone else. Joy Creed album/s or track/s, may be purchased at any of the following:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joycreed
www.joycreed.com/audiocd
https://www.reverbnation.com/joycreed
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/yadah-single/id52179152
Your Conductor,
Joy
©Creed's Melody
'Positive Message: Diverse Cultures'
Website: http://www.joycreed.com
Blog: (http://joycreed.blogspot.ca/)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/joy.creed
Twitter: http://twitter.com/joycreedmusic
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiN68R6Qo5g
ReverbNation: http://reverbnation.com/joycreed
Greetings “Fan”-tastic Passengers,
None of us as born-again believers are exempted from the barrage of adversities, which we face daily, in this broken world. Notwithstanding, this begs the question: “Is it possible for the born-again believer to endure hardship with confidence and assurance?” The answer is an emphatic, YES! However, the secret to our enduring challenging circumstances is learning to rely on God’s special kind of grace -sustaining grace. In 2 Cori nthians12:10 the Apostle Paul declares: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Here he found a never-ending reservoir of God’s power, which was available to him. As a result, when he was faced with faced with challenging situations in his life, he was now able to rely on the Lord’s strength, instead of his own. Ultimately, it is God’s desire, that every born-again believer, tap into this endless supply of power, as we learn how to rely on God’s sustaining grace, to transform every complex circumstance in our lives.
God’s sustaining grace is made perfect in our weakness…
Despite all of our human weaknesses, it is God’s grace, which attains His purposes in a fallen world. Therefore, if we walk in its power, we will be able to face everything in life with confidence and great assurance. This promise from God no doubt, gave the Apostle Paul strength and encouragement in his subsequent sufferings.
The Apostle Paul was imprisoned, beaten, whipped, stoned, shipwrecked, and persecuted. On many occasions, he went without food, water, and shelter (2 Cor.11:23-28). Scripture also speaks of him having an unknown “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor.12:7). Consequently, if God chooses not to deliver us from all of our suffering, do you think that we should ask Him to change our circumstances? Yes. Jesus told His disciples to “Ask, and it will be given to you . . . “ (Matt.7:7, 11). Nevertheless, when God does not answer our prayers for relief, we must continue to trust that He has a higher purpose in mind, for allowing the suffering.
Paul’s affliction, for example, was for a specific reason. It was to restrain him from becoming prideful because of, “exceedingly great revelations” he had received from the Lord (2 Cor.12:7). Without this torment, in his human frailty, he would have forgotten his absolute dependency on God. Just imagine for a moment, the Apostle was instrumental in preaching the gospel and impacting lives for Jesus Christ, all over the Roman Empire. He was instrumental in the discipleship of the early church, and wrote most of the New Testament. In his human weakness, the possibility existed for pride, to cripple and potentially disable his ministry. Ultimately, there was nothing which Paul could have done, for example, praying more passionately, developing more faith, serving more diligently, which could move the hand of the Lord to banish this affliction from him.
As a result of this situation, the Apostle testified that he: “…learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil.4:11). He resorted that the sustaining grace of God, was sufficient to support and carry him through any adversity (2 Cor.12:9-10). Today, we too can pattern the example of the Apostle Paul, as in our suffering, we learn to wholly depend on the Lord’s strength, when the storms of life are raging violently, with winds that are contrary and tempestuous.
Grace empowers us to endure when circumstances remain unchanged…
Perhaps you have been praying earnestly to God regarding Him bringing change for the better, to a particular situation in your life. Despite all the praying, however, you find that you arrive at the red traffic light of disappointment and discouragement, as the circumstance for which you have been seeking God’s breakthrough, remain unchanged or worsened. When a situation of this calibre occurs, it is natural, in your frail humanity, to wonder, “Does God even care about me?” Or “Has He abandoned me?” Slowly, you begin to slip into a frame of mind, which thinks that God is distant and unconcerned about your situation.
Why do we give up so easily in challenging circumstances?
Human beings tend to give up trusting in God’s grace to sustain them whenever they face challenging situations because of the following reasons:
- Satan plants his seed of lie into our hearts because he wants us to distrust, the grace, mercy and kindness of our Heavenly Father, by attempting to handle life on our own
- We listen to advice from the wrong people. Ask yourself this question, “How can someone who criticize my faith in God, be able to encourage me with the truth from God’s Word?” Most times they base their advice on personal experiences and emotions instead of biblical principles
- It is easy for us to give up trusting God, whenever we focus more on our painful circumstances and loss, rather than on the Lord’s faithfulness.Consequently, we arrive at the dangerous intersection of hopelessness and discouragement
If this is your situation, I want to assure you that God does not get angry when you have difficulty in trusting Him. Instead, He is more than able to handle your questions, doubt, and frustration. However, you must be completely open and honest with the Lord, as you allow Him to comfort and encourage your doubting and fearful heart. Compassionately, as you begin to trust in Him, He will move you from fear and doubt to faith and trust in Him.
4-truths to know about adversity…
- We can never rationalize giving up on our faith in God because in every fiery trial, He is on our side and He is fighting for us.As a result, we do not have to fear what humanity will do to us. The Scripture assures us of God’s faithfulness, in this regard, as it says: ” When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Deut.31:6; Psa.118:6; Isa.43:2; Heb.13:5)
- Our Heavenly Father always has a valuable lesson for us to learn through hardship.Therefore, we must pay keen attention and learn carefully from our valley experiences, as they are designed to facilitate our spiritual growth, as Scripture in Isaiah 61:3b says:“…that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.” For example, if someone offends us, we must ensure to quickly forgive them, as well as ourselves, speedily, even as Joseph did in his situation, so as to maintain our fellowship and relationship with the Lord and continue to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gen.50:20; Gal.5:22-23)
- While Our Heavenly Father does not have to give us an explanation, regarding the divers temptation into which we fall, we must trust His leading in our lives because He has our best interest at heart.Consequently, in the midst of our struggles, He promises to be our Refuge, while supporting us, with His everlasting arms (Deut.33:27; James 1:2-3)
- As a result of the Lord having our best interest at heart, He promises us success and not failure, during our season of manifold temptations, as the Apostle Paul declares: “…all things work together for good”(Rom.8:28)
Despite the pain, suffering and loss of the fiery trials, which we might be experiencing, the grace of God, works by unleashing a type of supernatural strength, which is able to keep us going and to bear us up, under the weight of our trials. In addition, we may at times experience perplexity, as to how to pray. Notwithstanding, the Holy Spirit, indwells the born-again believer and strengthens us in our state of weakness. Ultimately, our inarticulate longings to pray properly, are an indication to us, that the indwelling Holy Spirit, is already helping us, by interceding for us in our hearts, making requests that our Heavenly Father will certainly answer (Rom.8:26).
Like fuel which fires up an engine to run its course, the grace of God ignites the determination to keep going no matter how fierce the storms of life may be. Have you ever wondered why some born-again believers never lose their joy and peace, despite the tremendous difficulties which they may be facing? This is because, even while in our suffering, God’s grace fills our lives, so that we can still bear the fruit of the Spirit and be able to: “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).
Consequently, this is how the grace of God, sustains His people, while they are under duress
Grace reminds us that God is always with us as our friend and supporter. Some of our families and close friends, may walk away from us, while we are suffering but God, by His grace, will never forget nor abandon us (Heb.13:5). God’s amazing grace points us toward the Father’s goal, in allowing the challenges into which we fall at times. Nevertheless, despite our suffering, pain, and loss, we can be content in knowing that we are in the center of His will.
Grace reminds us that God uses trials to strengthen our faith and deepen our intimacy with Him (1 Pet.5:10). Amazingly, grace also assures us that the power of the adversary is restricted by God, as to what he is permitted to do to His servant. In addition, “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (Job 1:12; 1 Cor.10:13).
Subsequently, grace gives us faith to believe that, amidst living in a broken world, which has been corrupted by sin, God will transform our sufferings and dark crises, into moments of bright opportunities (Gen.1:31; John 16:33; 1 Cor.13:12; Rom.3:23; 8:22, 28).
Finally, as a born-again believer, you too, like the Apostle Paul, can learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to strengthen you, in times of trouble. Whenever challenging situations comes your way, you must acknowledge your helplessness apart from the Lord. Then, with all your heart, you must cry out to Him for guidance and comfort, to sustain you, while you endure the fiery trial, which you are facing. One thing is certain and that is, God cares about you, even while you find yourself in the most difficult of circumstances. In addition, He has promised to take your dark crises and by His grace, cause them to work together for your good (Rom.8:28). I encourage you to trust the Lord and His amazing grace because He alone has the power to transform every complex situation that you are experiencing, into something wonderful.
Stay strong! Stay encouraged!
Many thanks for your continued support, in purchasing my music. If you have already purchased yours, you may also wish to consider purchasing music to bless the life of someone else. Joy Creed album/s or track/s, may be purchased at any of the following:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joycreed
www.joycreed.com/audiocd
https://www.reverbnation.com/joycreed
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/yadah-single/id52179152
Your Conductor,
Joy
©Creed's Melody
'Positive Message: Diverse Cultures'
Website: http://www.joycreed.com
Blog: (http://joycreed.blogspot.ca/)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/joy.creed
Twitter: http://twitter.com/joycreedmusic
Youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiN68R6Qo5g
ReverbNation: http://reverbnation.com/joycreed