Psalm 34:19 says that “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” There are some days where it’s really hard to be a Christian, let alone be an example and lead others. There are days when we feel defeated at work, at school, or at home. We feel as if we’ve failed at being a good friend, a good parent, or a good spouse. And sometimes its not just a moment here or there when we feel this way, but rather, it’s been a season where we feel as if we aren’t being effective or making a difference.
If we only look through the lens of our circumstances then we will feel this way, and our troubles and feelings will consume us. Warren Wiersbe is a pastor, a writer, and he is considered by many as a remarkable theologian and scholar and I’m a big fan. Wiersbe once said, “You cannot control the origin of your suffering, but you can control the outcome.” God calls us to look at our circumstances through the lens of His goodness and provision. God desires to deliver us from these moments and to use these times in our lives in a powerful way.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul says “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” We usually can’t control our suffering, but we can control how we view our troubles by recognizing God’s care for us. We must choose to take our pain and discouragement to the Lord, which allows God to apply His grace, compassion and healing. For it is during these times that Christ’s power at work through us in a mighty way.
reflections of hope 