Some
of us have multiple degrees, rise to administrative positions in our career,
own our own company, make partner, turn our meager savings into a substantial
nest egg, etc.; and we feel that we achieved the status we coveted and have now
arrived at success.
The
Apostle Paul achieved success in his life as well; but once he experienced God
on the road to Damascus, he realized that all of his accomplishments were inconsequential
when compared to the glory of Christ living within him, even through all of
Paul's sufferings.
He
endured so much persecution in his Christian life, but he considered it
irrelevant when compare to his intimate relationship with Christ, the power of
His resurrection working in him, and the transformation of his spirit, soul,
and eventually his body (Philippians 3:7-10).
He
gained, and shared with us, so much wisdom through what he suffered. His
greatest advice was that we can be joyful in persecution (Philippians 3:2). He
realized what the Prophet Jeremiah proclaimed (29:11): that God's plans for us
are to bless us.
Even
when life seems to win by overwhelming us with circumstances that crush us
under their blow, we are to rejoice. The first effect of joy is to change our
mindset. We stop focusing on the trials, and give the issues to the Lord to
change them.
Joy
also strengthens our soul, and builds up our hope and faith in God's
faithfulness. It gets our mind off the issues causing our distress and puts it
squarely on God, which is where it belongs (Isaiah 26:3). Praising and reading
God's Word also bring us joy.
Trials
produce patience in us, and patience perfects us (James 1:4-8). Patience
teaches us to see the big picture of God's love and abundance, rather than our finite
circumstances. Patience reminds us that, if we need something, God will provide
for us in His way and time.
Prayer:
Father
God, You shroud us with Your mercy and bless us with Your immense grace (2 Corinthians
12:8-10) to traverse any trial we could ever experience on this earth. As we
learn to walk in Your Spirit, we stop experiencing trials produced by our own
choices, so that the issues that do come our way are designed by You to make us
more like Jesus.
You
promise the crown of life to those who patiently endure the trials of this life
with faith in You (James 1:12-15). You also help us to see that rarely do we ever
suffer the extreme issues that Jesus faced in His lifetime, and during His
crucifixion. Remind us that Christ abides within us by Your Holy Spirit, and
there is nothing too difficult for You, or for us with Christ in us (Luke 18:27;
Philippians 4:13-16; Colossians 1:27).
Thought
for the Day:
When
we traverse a steep mountain of trials, carrying a heavy burden, we change our
focus to the deep, intense joy from within that God provides for us, in spite
of our circumstances; this helps us to have His strength as we attain a goal,
overcome an obstacle, or hope for a more secure future, even though we have not
received it yet. - Nehemiah 8:10
