We are all connected in some way to difficulties. Maybe we're in them. Maybe we're coming out of them. Maybe we're heading to them. Maybe we're in the lull between. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). He went on to say, "But take heart; I have overcome the world." I think sometimes we miss out on a whole lot of good stuff when we hunker down and try to bear up under difficulties. Lots of people are desperately waiting for the relief in the end, and, frankly, it's a promise, so it's not bad. But ... what about now?
Christians have long held the upper hand on tribulations and trials. Whether or not we use it, we've always had the certainty of heaven in the end. "Pie in the sky," skeptics call it. We all know that someday we'll have absolute perfection, perfect peace, and no more tears. Not so for the rest. But we're missing out if that's where we stop. We have ... so ... much ... more. We have the certainty that God causes all things to work together for our good (Rom 8:29-29). We have the opportunity, the right, and even responsibility to rejoice in tribulation (e.g., Rom 5:1-5; James 1:2-4) not because we can endure it, but because we're improved by it. In the middle of pain, we can say with Paul, "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:9-10). We aren't passengers on this wild ride of troubles and pains. "In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Rom 8:35-37). "In all these things." We "overwhelmingly conquer."
We are humans and we will experience human frailty and the consequences of sin in the world. It won't be easy. But, as Jesus said, "Take heart; I have overcome the world." We don't live as others do. We live by the Spirit (Gal 5:25; 1 Peter 4:6). We are not alone. We are not muddling through. We are not "hanging on." We're in the Spirit, living by His power. We're more than conquerors. Look forward to heaven, by all means, but ... don't miss now.
2 comments:
This post is an encouraging reminder for this new day/week. "In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” It’s interesting that you mentioned Christians having “the upper hand.” That Upper Hand--supreme control and power--is the Lord, of course. (I will now probably always think of that idiom that way.) Indeed, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31)
The only way to make it through our trials and tribulations with joy is to constantly remind ourselves of the promises of God.
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