…even a brain tumor.
Jesus changes everything.
Posts Tagged: suffering
6
Jul 09
Struggling with All His Might
I was reading through Colossians this weekend and was struck by the final verse of the first chapter:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
(Colossians 1:24-29, emphasis added)
Paul struggled and toiled with Christ’s energy!
How often do I do the same? I must admit, the majority of my struggling is done by my own, insufficient energy. By doing so, I rob myself of victory. More importantly, I rob my God of his due glory in my life.
Questions to Consider
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Do I understand this energy?
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Do I realize the immense implications of his powerful work within me?
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How does this truth affect my actions and the way I live my life?
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It’s easy to talk about toiling “with all his energy that he powerfully works within me,” but how does one take this concept and put it into action, as Paul did?
Another Look
Perhaps there are some clues in 2 Corinthians 12:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10, emphasis added)
What about you?
Do you toil and struggle with all his energy that he powerfully works within you? Does the power of Christ rest upon you?
What does all this mean?
6
Feb 09
Salt, Light, and Economic Hardship – Part 1
The seriousness of our current economic situation becomes more and more real as each day passes. Unemployment rates are rising, businesses are closing their doors, and American families are suffering.
I have been thinking a great deal over the past couple of weeks about how I should react to these difficult times as a follower of Christ. Am I not called to different than the world around me? Should I concern myself with the matters of this world? Certainly I cannot simply ignore my own hardships or the hardships of those around me. How should I respond?
Admittedly, I have very little to offer in terms of a solution to the problems that face our nation. To be honest, I’m not terribly concerned about a solution. You see, as a Christian, I have been blessed with a very special opportunity to exercise faith and trust in the Lord and to be salt and light to the world around me in the midst of widespread trial and suffering. Let us seize this opportunity and may He be glorified.
The is the first post in a series about being salt and light in the midst of economic hardship:
BE CONTENT. Contentment should not be dependent upon my financial circumstances, my income, my job, or my stuff. Rather, as a believer in Christ, I should look to the Lord for contentment. Am I clothed? Do I have food? Have I not been lavished with tremendous love, mercy and grace?
Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (1Timothy 6:6-8, ESV)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6, ESV)
BE FILLED WITH JOY. I can’t help but think about Paul’s letter to the Philippians. This is a letter that Paul wrote to the church in Philippi from a jail cell. Despite his own less-than-desirable circumstances, however, we find that joy is a common theme throughout the letter. The word “joy” occurs five times and the word “rejoice” 9 times. Finally, as Paul wraps up his letter, he explains:
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
I am forced to ask myself, “Do I know how to abound AND how to be brought low? Am I truly joyful, even in the midst of trial and suffering and want?”
GIVE. Conventional, worldly wisdom tells me that now is the time to reduce giving, or perhaps, stop giving altogether. I really should be saving more – just in case, right? Does Biblical wisdom not tell me something very different, however? It seems instinctive to hold tightly to time and money in the midst of financial hardship. Nevertheless, we must trust the Lord with our finances now, more than ever. We must not give only out of prosperity.
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21:1-4, ESV)
Further, churches, missionaries, and ministries are dependent upon faithful giving, especially in times like these. May we trust the Lord with our finances always and may we be good stewards of all that He has given us.
Has the current economic downturn given you an opportunity to witness or share your faith with those those around you?
