Category: struggle

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” It almost seems as if James says the trials we endure are blessings from heaven. But aren’t so many things we face today a result of a fallen world? How could I ever think cancer is from heaven? Are those being persecuted for their faith today not suffering hell’s attacks? Are we not supposed to resist the devil? “…because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)

At some point in their lives, three young Hebrew boys decided to follow God with all their hearts. Everything from hell comes against such faith. In this case it was an ungodly king, an evil law, and torturous consequences for doing what was right. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego resisted the temptation to compromise in order to save their own lives. They passed a test of faith and learned to persevere. The fiery furnace was simply the result of saying ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to the world. In their case, God used strategies from hell to bring Him glory and teach us many things. We learn that those who go into the flames tied up may be set free in the fire. We learn that those who truly walk by faith will not walk alone. And we learn that those who know nothing about the one true God can come to know Him as His children follow Him at any cost. (see Daniel 3)

Lest we think every trial will result in a miracle that overcomes physical death, we simply look to Jesus. As He tried to prepare His disciples for His destiny, Peter vehemently objected. Peter knew hell was at work. Surely heaven would never allow evil men to falsely accuse and kill the only truly good man to ever live. With words that must have shocked Peter, Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt. 16:23) Jesus resisted the devil, but He did not resist the cross. By allowing His Son to endure the most difficult of trials, God gave us the greatest gift from heaven.

Only God can turn the assaults of hell into the purest of gold. None will escape difficulties on this earth, but One has overcome. What hope we have in Him! “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

“I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain…” James Taylor was not the only one who talked about fire and water. Isaiah spoke the words of God to Israel: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2) John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Matthew 3:11)

I have a missionary friend who is a master potter. Every time I see him teach, using the analogy of God as the Potter, I marvel at our Creator’s mysterious ways. The potter chooses the clay. He then pours water on the clay to prepare it. The potter applies pressure at different points to form what he desires. He then puts his creation in the fire.

I confess I don’t know much about pottery, but the master potter knows exactly what he’s doing. I would think that water would just make a big mess, but the potter knows it is needed. I would think fire would do great harm to clay, but the potter knows it is essential. I realize it is pointless to argue with the potter’s ways…so why should I argue with God?

Jesus proclaimed He came to bring fire to this earth. He admitted He did not look forward to what His Father was going to put Him through, but He did not complain. “I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!” (Luke 12:49-50) No matter what we endure, if we can trust the One who knows all things and has all power, we shall find it is worth it. “We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.” Psalm 66:12

After learning of my illness, some friends told me, ‘Your faith is strong. You are ready for this trial.’ I may have had a similar thought at the outset, but in the midst of the storm, I found myself in the same boat as the disciples. Though Jesus is right beside us, we cry, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” And Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

God does call us to spiritual preparation. The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 makes it very clear some will be prepared for His return and some will not. But if we think our faith is strong, beware. Paul warns, “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” At times, we may be tempted to boast as Peter did, “Lord, if all desert you, I never will.” It is true that Peter recognized the Messiah when many didn’t. It is also true that he left everything to follow Him. But Jesus knew Peter’s faith was not as strong as he thought it was. Just a few hours after his proclamation, Peter denied he even knew his Friend. Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves.

Spiritual preparation should not lead to boasting about faith. Spiritual preparation leads to humility. If we let Him, God will teach us to put less confidence in ourselves and more in Him. We’ll learn to pray, ‘Lord, if you don’t fill me with Your Spirit, I won’t make it. Lord, if you don’t give me your grace, I will surely fall!’

If anyone is prepared for a trial, it is by God’s grace he is prepared. If anyone endures a hardship, it is by God’s grace he survives. If anyone is “more than a conqueror”, it is by God’s grace he is victorious. All such blessings are found in Christ, God’s magnificent Gift of grace.

Jesus shared with His disciples that things would get so difficult at some point before He returns that “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.”(see Matthew 24) In other words, things could get so bad that the person with the stongest faith would not endure. So who wants to boast? Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Today, there are Christians in many parts of the world enduring hardships I can’t imagine. Many are remaining faithful in the flames of persecution. It is by God’s grace they stand. Today, many have been delivered from sin by an all powerful Savior. Though living in an evil world, they resist the devil and stay unspotted. It is by God’s grace they walk in righteousness. Because of His grace we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear. He will always provide a way of escape. One day, as in the days of Noah, swift destruction will come upon the world. By God’s grace, some will be safe in the ark of Christ Jesus. Believe in Him and possess the oil of the wise virgins. Remain in Him, as the only place of true safety, and remember “it is by grace that you have been saved”. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

When you’ve been healthy all of your life, it is strange to be sick. When you’re used to feeling strong, it is frustrating to be weak. When you’ve always felt secure, it is uncomfortable to be vulnerable. When you’ve been proud most of your life, it is different to be humble.

Sometimes, it is in weakness that we catch a glimpse of the wisdom of God. His ways are not our ways, but we know He is perfect. Last year, as my body weakened, my hair fell out, and my mind became dull, God was saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Why does God work in such ways?

It is almost as if God takes everything that is important in the eyes of the world and turns it upside down. He chose to work in this manner through His own Son, so why should He work differently with us? From a lowly birth to a cruel cross, God chose the weak things of the world to bring about His glory. Jesus revealed this truth in so much of His teaching. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” “Blessed are those that mourn.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” “Come to Me…for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

When I am weak, I run to my God. When I am strong, I may not think there are needs, so my prayers are scarce and passionless. But when I am weak, I cry out to God with great fervency. Where else can I go? Only He can comfort. Only He can rescue. Only in God can I find true security. Only in God can I have confidence. Only in God can I find strength. “In Him we live and move and have our being.”

How we need Him – not just in difficult times, but always! Weakness brings us this realization. This is why we can thank God for our trials, for in these times we draw closest to Him.

Weakness also leads us to depend more on others. How do I thank my wife for helping me last year? I could not have made it without her. How do I thank so many of you for serving and praying for me and my family. In my weakness, God’s love was strong through His children and I am thankful.

Let us praise God for His wisdom and thank Him continually. Let us humbly admit we don’t have all the answers. Let us learn to depend on Him more and more.

“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him.” I Corinthians 1:27-28

What if the experts say it may happen again? What if this week’s violence leads to further difficulty? We tend to fear the unknown, but we also struggle with what we know.

Our family thanks God for the last report the doctor gave. So many of you prayed for such news. ‘Your cancer is in complete remission’ brought a great joy. The next words did not surprise us, because we have learned about this particular disease. The doctor said, ‘This cancer always comes back.’ But his last comment, I must confess, produced fear that is difficult to shake. ‘When it does come back, it will be a nightmare.’ I feel like I’ve already been through a nightmare – I don’t want another.

God has been teaching me to live one day at a time. I am so thankful to be a ‘somewhat’ normal husband, father, and teacher again. I give thanks for each new day. “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

But what do we do when fear comes against us? Though it almost sounds too simple, ‘Jesus’ is the best answer anyone can give. He was “made like His brothers in every way” and He “suffered when He was tempted.” He was “tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin.” Did fear not come against our Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane? With great emotion, He said to His friends, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” He may have struggled with the unknown, but Jesus also dreaded what He knew. As we look to Him, we can see the path to take.

Though it involved sweat and blood and tears, Jesus took all His burdens to His Father. He was honest about His own feelings and His own desire. “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me.” Jesus reminded His Father of His power. “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.” Every time, though, Jesus closed His prayer in humble obedience. “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

We know God did not remove the cup from His Son, but He did give Him what He needed to complete His life on earth. Has anyone handled trial with a greater calm? Has anyone faced death with such courage? Has anyone, in the midst of tremendous suffering, treated his enemies with more love and forgiveness?

Let us follow Jesus when fear comes against us. “Cast all your cares on the Lord, for He cares for you.” No matter how things look, we know He loves us. Let us pray honestly before His throne. We can tell the Father what we feel and what we desire. Sometimes the cup may pass; sometimes it will not. We too, in humble obedience, should pray, ‘Not my will, but Yours be done.’ The blessing we can expect from above is the peace, the strength, and the courage to face any nightmare.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7