Strength of Christ

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭18‬).

Everything that we go through in life is for a greater purpose. I can count numerous times where trials and tribulations came upon my life, but after was something great. Just like after the rain the sun shines, right? At times, we can even be blessed to see a beautiful rainbow. It also seems like after it rains the sky and the clouds seem to be so much brighter and clear. It is the same with suffering -after we go through the things that are meant to break us and mold us, we come out on the other side as a new creation. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬).

We suffer because Christ suffered. He had to suffer many things from people- not believing in him, people constantly want to kill him/mocking him, and lastly to him dying on the cross. In scripture, Jesus even asked for this cup to be taken away from him. Which I know most of us can relate too because who wants to go through suffering? I’m sure if we could skip through some of our trials and tribulations, a lot of us would take the opportunity! However, no one said that this road would be easy. Suffering is part of our cleansing-it is of God’s will in order to shape us and strengthen us.

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭2‬). Pruning takes away any outside factors that are no longer needed. So yes, it may be hard to change your normal routine or break old habits. However, we can’t prune into a new season if we are still sitting in the old season. Our fruit won’t be able to grow if we don’t give the proper care to it. God will show you exactly what needs to be done in order to get to where you need to be. Pruning will increase your strength in Christ. By shedding the parts of you that wouldn’t help you grow allows even  more room for Christ to work in you. Our whole purpose is to persuade and encourage others to live this life with Christ. However, if we are living just like the world then what kind of example are we setting? How can we be concerned about others spiritual being? “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬). When Christ continues to work inside of you, the better example you will be unto the others around you.

Another thing that can be hard to deal with is time tables. You say, “I’m _____ years old, I need or want to …..” or in ______amount of years I need to….” Yes, there is nothing wrong with setting goals for yourself or even expressing these thoughts to God, however we need to be able to handle and accept when things don’t happen according to our “timeline.” This can be tricky because comparison will try to come into play - you see others around you doing what you want to do, but remember that everyone is on a different journey. Half the people you compare yourself may not even have what you have spiritually. Also you never know what could be happening behind closed doors in other people’s lives. We don’t know what it took for some people to get the things they have - only God does. We can only worry about how we can use our own journey of life for God’s glory. Keep in mind, we are not even on God’s timing! As believers we don’t know or get the final decision on when and how things will happen for us! Something’s may happen in our life not only for our strengthening but for someone else too. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬). “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬). At the end of the day, we don’t think like God and we won’t be able to fully  understand, however we do know that God’s way is the best way . We just have to pray and ask God for patience when we go through suffering for extended periods of time.

God sees and knows exactly what you are going through. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”

‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭15).  God is so understanding, He knows exactly what you can handle. He literally handcrafted your journey in a way that would benefit you for the present and the future. Even though we hurt and we may not see how everything works for our good, it is because He said so. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬). The lolsimple fact that you are becoming stronger in him is all we may need. With that strength we are able to make it to another day, overcome fears and obstacles, stand up for what we believe in and so much more.

Nothing lasts forever and it is all for His glory and our strengthening. Just hold on and embrace what the Lord is doing in your life. “The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry (Habakkuk‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬).

Surely, at the end you will be even stronger to be able to inherit all what the Lord has for you.

Job 17:9 “The righteous also shall hold on his way, And he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”

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