Faithful Failure...

Faithful Failures

Many popular preachers are teaching that if you have faith, nothing bad can befall you. You can be healed of all your diseases; delivered from all your financial woes and be blessed with every good thing.
But is that what the Bible teaches? Let's look at some "men of faith" to find out.
In 2Corinthians 12:7-10"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"
• What did God permit to keep Paul humble?
• What was Paul's response?
• What did God provide instead of healing?
• What was Paul's response when God chose not to heal him?
And in Matthew 8:20 "And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head'"
• What did Jesus lack?
• How is this contrary to popular teaching today?
When we look at the examples of people of faith in the Bible, we find their lives were filled with hardships and difficulties like everyone else. In addition to Paul and Jesus, there was Abraham who left his friends and family to live in the desert. Moses spent 40 years herding sheep and then 40 years leading a ragtag group of rebellious grumblers. David lost one son in infancy and two adult sons by murder. Timothy suffered stomach problems (1 Timothy 5:23). Epaphroditus became so ill he almost died (Philippians 2:27). Trophimus had to be left behind at Miletus because he was too sick to travel (2 Timothy 4:20).
If you are having difficulties, don't blame your lack of faith. Faith doesn't prevent problems; it helps you survive them.