Friday, October 14, 2011

A little note on Suffering...

In Philippians Chapter 1 Paul is greeting the church when he tells them he is in prison. Although this is a huge dramatic thing for most people, he tells them he rejoices because of what has happened to him. Look at verses 18-20

"It is important that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. (talking about people who started preaching the gospel when he got thrown in jail.) 

And because of this I rejoice. 

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in now ay be ashamed, but will have suffience courage so that now as always CHRIST will be exalted in my body..."

As humans, we automatically think bad situations are about us. We are quick to get down on ourselves and others, and we rationalize the situation according to something we have said or done. But the truth is, NOTHING is about us!! The gospel is about GOD coming down to glorify himself and bring us back to him! The same thing is true in our suffering. These temporary situations are going to glorify God somehow! He is putting you through this because he thinks you are strong enough to handle it. If you were weak you would have already quit by now. 

It's not a strength that you normally think of either, it's complete dependence on God, a giving up of your earthly strength, a weakness
--that's what gives you the peace and hope to look up and keep going. It's not about you or what you've done--it's about an awesome God-story in the making.

Love you and praying for you...

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