All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

...suffered so we stop trusting ourselves

8 Brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be ignorant about the suffering we experienced in the province of Asia. It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living. 9 In fact, we still feel as if we're under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life. 10 He has rescued us from a terrible death, and he will rescue us in the future. We are confident that he will continue to rescue us, 2 Cor 1:8-10
So extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. Wondered if we could go on living.

We suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God. We so often forget at times I think, maybe just me but, although clearly used by God, still people as you and I. The early Church, men and women suffered terrible things, and still in this day in different parts of the world, people who believe in Jesus, pay a heavy price for that belief. And here in the States and other parts of the world, we question God when everything in our life is not perfect. He must not Love me because, of this or that problem. Paul clearly states here, we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God. It can not be made any more clear then that. Before I am accused of not believing for things to be better in our life, that is not what I am saying.
Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so that freed from our sins, we could live a life that has God's approval. His wounds have healed you .1 Pet 2:24
My God will richly fill your every need in a glorious way through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19
3 Trust the LORD, and do good things. Live in the land, and practice being faithful. 3 Be happy with the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:3-4
Once again it has to do w/ faith, and the building of that faith in Jesus. Trusting in Him in the midst of a storm. To embrace all things going on in our life, w/ the knowledge we will be better for them, not in spite of them. I have been angry w/ God before, I would tell Him this or that but, He would always ask me the same question, “ are you done, can we move on ahead now?” When we give our life to Him, does it not become His to do w/, what He wills?
Those who suffer because that is God's will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do what is good. 1 Pet 4:17
Instead of allowing the enemy a foothold in our thinking, in the area of suffering and the Love of God. It would want us to think that these are contradictions. I am suffering so, God must be mad at me or, I have done something wrong because, I am in pain.
1 Since Christ has suffered physically, take the same attitude that he had. (A person who has suffered physically no longer sins.) 2 That way you won't be guided by sinful human desires as you live the rest of your lives on earth. Instead, you will be guided by what God wants you to do. 1 Pet 4:1-2
12 Dear friends, don't be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don't feel as though something strange is happening to you, 13 but be happy as you share Christ's sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don't feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name. 1Pet 4:12-13,16
As we begin to see things the way God has designed them. As we trust in Him and His Word, more then we trust in what we see and feel. The more freedom we will begin to have in our life. And w/ that freedom we are able to share w/ others the liberty, and reward that comes in serving Him.

Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

To find that place means everything. That place beyond us and our own strength. To no longer be moved by anything but God, and what He has for us. To enjoy All the benefits that, belong to us in Christ. To know that others suffered so we can be stronger. To understand we may suffer so, others can be stronger. That is the place of Freedom, Joy, Peace and True Happiness. As I Pray for you in these things, pray for me and together we will enjoy the Victory in Jesus.

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Comment by Bible-Talk on October 16, 2011 at 5:57am: Thanks Chris - brother I always feel inspired by your continual encouragement - you have a great strength Chris.

You are a great brother in the Lord.

With much love

Comment by Charles Burwell on October 15, 2011 at 1:23pm: Chris

This is an excellent post. I have been reading about martyrs lately from a book put out by an organization called the voice of martyrs. Many of the incidents are about martyrs in our current time . Mostly in 3rd world countries but none the less , inour day and time. The stories of what many endure simply because they refuse to deny Jesus as Lord or to denounce Christianity and the bible as simply being myths.

The way these people endured and what they had to endure for the sake of the gospel . Most surrendered their lives or were denounced by their families and even beaten or killed by their own families for confessing Christ. This type of hate is a little beyond my comprehension , but the testimonies and actions of these people under such circumstances in an incredibly humbling experience.

They lost everything ( many even their ) lives but would not even say they were denying the Lord just to save their lives. Many were encouraged to just lie to their tormenters and tell them what they wanted to hear wether they meant it or not , just so they would not be tormented anymore or even killed. But they could not because they could not lie and they wanted to give the eneny no occasion whatsoever to use them to dimish their Lord in any way.

Although these things bring shame to me for complaining about the very "minor ' things I go through (by comparison)

I am greatly encouraged at the same time because God is proving to me ( and any others who will listen) that He can take us through things that are beyond our ability to comprehend , and still give us the victory and can use us more mightily than we ever dreamed possible in our ' impossible' circumstances.

I hasten to add that I do not mean that some of what we may consider 'simple' problems are not just as important to people as what we may consider 'great ' sufferings. God knows that one of our greatest failures in dealing with our children ,or anyones elses for that matter, is to not understand how incredibly important the things that we consider 'little' are to them. I simply mean that ( I believe anyhow ) that God is trying to get us to trust Him in the lesser things so He can lead us on to greater things in Him. Our faith must be constantly stretched as part of the ' refining' process and we hinder His work and will for us when we sit down and complain or just plain give up.

I must confess that I have been guilty of sitting down and complaining sometimes , even after God has brought me through so many things. I am just so grateful that His ' compassions fail not' . Otherwise I would brobably been a cast away long ago.

Anyhow, tahnks again for the great post .

...suffered so we stop trusting ourselves

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