I've had a tough year. I'm sure many would say the same, but I've especially felt the weight of hardships and trials throughout this season of my life, probably more so than all previous years combined. However, 2 Corinthians 12 brought meaning to this pain and these challenges I've had to face, as he writes in his letter, "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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." Now, as I always say, never take Bible verses out of context. Seriously, go read the whole passage, or even the whole book. It's great. Now that you've ignored my recommendation, this passage specifically is about Paul deciding not to boast about himself because it accomplishes nothing for the kingdom of God. Instead he finds peace and joy in Christ and is therefore willing to boast about his weaknesses because they show how strong and mighty God is.
I've tried asking God why I've had to fight so many battles this year, what the purpose behind it all was, but I think I was looking for answers in the wrong places. God's power is made perfect in weakness, and if there's one thing I've learned through all of this, it's that I am weak and imperfect, but God is strong and perfect, and his perfection shines in my weakness because it shows how much I need Him! I'm sure it's not all sunshine and roses for you either, but your hard times can show God's glory! God is so good! (Seriously dude, that's awesome! Show some enthusiasm about this for goodness sake.)
While this may be old news to some, this was a game-changer for me. Being joyful in trials? I've never done that before, but if I can be content and even take delight in (as the NIV version says) in the challenges for the sake of Christ, God will work through me, and strength comes from weakness and being vulnerable enough to lean on God instead of relying on oneself, on myself.
That's what I've been attempting and failing to do: trust in my own capabilities to handle what life has thrown at me. I've struggled to find peace and a reason to keep going amidst all the chaos, but I was trying to do it all on my own. Tye Tribbett's song What Can I Do says it wonderfully, "Cause I've tried, I've tried it on my own, but what I've found is, I can't make it on my own." But in Christ, yes I can! Paul says it right there, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." I can't make it without God, can't make it on my own, but with Him? I'm all set to face everything coming my way with God on my side. Same goes for you, ya know...
Now, I'm gonna be honest: this kinda scares me. The idea that God can do anything with me, send me anywhere, throw whatever trials He sees fit in my direction... it's kind of terrifying. Yet knowing that He will not only be with me every step of the way but also shine through me in the midst of hard times is also inspiring. As Paul wrote in Romans 5 when talking about being justified and saved through Christ, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." This is even further proof that both God works in hardship and that He radiates through weakness. He literally saved us while we were too weak to save ourselves, and knew it, yet still tried to (how idiotic of us...).
So when you have a rough day, or week, or year, or life, remember that God works through your battles, shines through you in your tough times, and will be with you every step of the way. God is so good, y'all. Trust in Him, He's got you. You might be facing mountains. There might be larger obstacles up ahead. But realistically, even though it will be hard to get through, you're not alone because God is holding onto you. He held onto Paul, and Paul had it worse than most of us. Seriously, just before he wrote 2 Corinthians 12, he wrote 2 Corinthians 11 (a novel concept I know, what kind of a person writes things in order...), in which he says he's suffered more than you—er, well, more than the Corinthians I guess—because he was beaten on several occasions, imprisoned all over the known world, shipwrecked three times, often sleep-deprived and starving, and basically in constant danger of everyone because he had enemies everywhere who consistently tried to kill him, and I think they eventually succeeded in doing so. Yet through it all, God was with him. So why shouldn't God be with you in your battles too?
God's got you. He works through you. He can take your bad days and your weaknesses and use them for good, for His glory. You don't have to worry about a thing. Jesus even teaches in Matthew 6 during the Sermon on the Mount, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." Your life, your future, it's all in God's hands, despite how it may feel in the middle of chaos. Believe me, I know.
So as I've been reflecting on the numerous hardships I've had to face this year, I want to learn to go into challenges like these with a boldness and confidence that can only be found in Christ. Like Paul, I want to see trials as a way of God working through my weaknesses instead of being afraid of what they might be like and how bad things could get. Everything works out according to God's plan, so trusting that He's in control is the best plan.
Okay, now to go work on a difficult challenge (*cough cough, finals*) I've been facing while relying on God to get me through it and use my weakness for His glory.
I've tried asking God why I've had to fight so many battles this year, what the purpose behind it all was, but I think I was looking for answers in the wrong places. God's power is made perfect in weakness, and if there's one thing I've learned through all of this, it's that I am weak and imperfect, but God is strong and perfect, and his perfection shines in my weakness because it shows how much I need Him! I'm sure it's not all sunshine and roses for you either, but your hard times can show God's glory! God is so good! (Seriously dude, that's awesome! Show some enthusiasm about this for goodness sake.)
While this may be old news to some, this was a game-changer for me. Being joyful in trials? I've never done that before, but if I can be content and even take delight in (as the NIV version says) in the challenges for the sake of Christ, God will work through me, and strength comes from weakness and being vulnerable enough to lean on God instead of relying on oneself, on myself.
That's what I've been attempting and failing to do: trust in my own capabilities to handle what life has thrown at me. I've struggled to find peace and a reason to keep going amidst all the chaos, but I was trying to do it all on my own. Tye Tribbett's song What Can I Do says it wonderfully, "Cause I've tried, I've tried it on my own, but what I've found is, I can't make it on my own." But in Christ, yes I can! Paul says it right there, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." I can't make it without God, can't make it on my own, but with Him? I'm all set to face everything coming my way with God on my side. Same goes for you, ya know...
Now, I'm gonna be honest: this kinda scares me. The idea that God can do anything with me, send me anywhere, throw whatever trials He sees fit in my direction... it's kind of terrifying. Yet knowing that He will not only be with me every step of the way but also shine through me in the midst of hard times is also inspiring. As Paul wrote in Romans 5 when talking about being justified and saved through Christ, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." This is even further proof that both God works in hardship and that He radiates through weakness. He literally saved us while we were too weak to save ourselves, and knew it, yet still tried to (how idiotic of us...).
So when you have a rough day, or week, or year, or life, remember that God works through your battles, shines through you in your tough times, and will be with you every step of the way. God is so good, y'all. Trust in Him, He's got you. You might be facing mountains. There might be larger obstacles up ahead. But realistically, even though it will be hard to get through, you're not alone because God is holding onto you. He held onto Paul, and Paul had it worse than most of us. Seriously, just before he wrote 2 Corinthians 12, he wrote 2 Corinthians 11 (a novel concept I know, what kind of a person writes things in order...), in which he says he's suffered more than you—er, well, more than the Corinthians I guess—because he was beaten on several occasions, imprisoned all over the known world, shipwrecked three times, often sleep-deprived and starving, and basically in constant danger of everyone because he had enemies everywhere who consistently tried to kill him, and I think they eventually succeeded in doing so. Yet through it all, God was with him. So why shouldn't God be with you in your battles too?
God's got you. He works through you. He can take your bad days and your weaknesses and use them for good, for His glory. You don't have to worry about a thing. Jesus even teaches in Matthew 6 during the Sermon on the Mount, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own." Your life, your future, it's all in God's hands, despite how it may feel in the middle of chaos. Believe me, I know.
So as I've been reflecting on the numerous hardships I've had to face this year, I want to learn to go into challenges like these with a boldness and confidence that can only be found in Christ. Like Paul, I want to see trials as a way of God working through my weaknesses instead of being afraid of what they might be like and how bad things could get. Everything works out according to God's plan, so trusting that He's in control is the best plan.
Okay, now to go work on a difficult challenge (*cough cough, finals*) I've been facing while relying on God to get me through it and use my weakness for His glory.
Comments
Post a Comment