November 12th

The Yardstick of Hardships

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 2 Corinthians 11:29-30

Have you ever had trouble? And I mean more than just that you had trouble opening the new pickle jar. Have you ever had a season of trouble?

I think all of us have probably had times of trouble like that. And most of us, if we're normal humans, we respond to those times of trouble by crying out to God to deliver us.

We can learn a lot about how to deal with troubling times from Paul, who experienced more than his fair share of trouble. What's interesting is that he doesn't quit in light of the hardships, nor does he give us some syrupy, sappy, three-step remedy to our hardships.

Do you know what he does? He switches the focus for us. He helps us remember that Christ has not forgotten us in our circumstances, but that He is actually in our corner, real and loving enough to be with us no matter what we are experiencing. We need to never take our eyes off of Jesus, remembering that He never takes His eyes off of us.

Listen to what we learn most from Paul-his circumstances never shake His faith. Even though he is never once delivered from his circumstances, rather being delivered through them, he never once considers abandoning his Savior just to save himself from the troubling circumstances.

That is a huge paradigm shift for you and me right now. I think many of us pray, God, get me out of this trouble right now! And if You don't get me out of it, I'm ditching. If You won't save me, I'll save myself.

And we have this loving God on His throne in Heaven saying, Yeah, but I'm using this in your life. I'm really molding and shaping you right now.

I don't care. Enough. Out. Now.

But what happens if we jump ship in the middle of this? We don't grow. We remain runts. In fact, sometimes it's worse than that, because we've gone to the breaking point in our circumstances, and we run away broken from the God who wants to put us back together again.

Listen, there is healing on the other side of your circumstances. Trust in God, pour out your heart to Him, and stay faithful to stick with Him through the whole process. He's got good things on the other side.

Prayer Father God,

Thank You that You are always my good God no matter what is happening in my life! I put my trust in You for my life, that You will faithfully see me through every trouble and lead me into Your glory on the other side!

Amen