We often wonder and at times get angry or just discouraged by things we go through. However, God does have reason why we go through things. Why, do you think we go through the things we do?
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I believe the answer is found in 2Cor 1:3-11 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 8 We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
In v8 we may have all felt that way before, and even asked God, “why?” In v9 we see that once we stop relying on ourselves on begin to believe, have Faith in God. Those things we change. I myself have to say, I have a long way to go in that area. As we begin to understand we go through things so, we begin to operate in Faith. Then we are able to share that comfort we find in our Faith with others who are going through what ever it may be. Also, when we are troubled in certain areas, and another comes around telling them to just “believe more,” have “more Faith.” We all know that can fall flat. But, when we are able to share we have gone through the same thing they are now going through. And, to be able to share the comfort God has given them, and how it all came to pass then, it is easier to hear.
Chris,
I don't think that we should overlook our own thoughts and actions when we go through difficult times. We often bring on our own problems. We allow our minds to lead us in the wrong direction, going against what God wants for us. We imagine all kinds of things and some do come to pass as we imagine them.
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
. ..We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us. 11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Does the means justify the end? That seems to be answered here. Paul and Timothy were put in the situation to no longer rely on themselves. Did they bring this on themselves? Or, did they need the Knowledge that was gained. So to help them at that time, and the times to come. Giving them the ability to share with others believers, both then and now how to face hardships. As Paul tells us,"We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us." No matter the reason, God will prepare us for what is to come. When a Faith becomes stronger from events we go through, all the Glory goes to the Lord.
One thing I believe Paul is telling us is, to humble ourselves before God, and the Lord will strengthen us in our weakness. I believe we are on the same page.
Lord Bless you Sister
When a Faith becomes stronger from events we go through, all the Glory goes to the Lord.
Does faith come by our experiences; or does it come by the Word of God?
Rom.10:17
I believe you will grow wiser and patient; through your events, Ja.1 says that the trying of your faith works patients, but let patients have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing. But if any man lacks “wisdom”, or ”If he lacks the understanding of why this thing is happening to him”; let him ask of God that gives “Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of it” to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it will be given to him; but let him ask in Faith nothing wavering; for he that wavers: is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed; for let not that man think he will receive anything of the Lord.
So to me; my faith is built by the Word of God, so I can overcome the circumstances I encounter in life. Whatever is born of God over comes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world,; even our faith. 1Jo.5:4.
Joe
PS Their relying on God; was their faith in action.
Chris and Joe,
I would have to say that when someone isn't receiving from the Lord, that they are not actually not believing in Him enough to receive. A good verse would be "By His stripes you were healed". Most people take this to mean spiritual healing, but not physical... healing. I don't happen to believe that. I believe that His gifts to us are both spiritual and physical.
One situation is the 13 yr old boy (that I posted about in another topic) that is having to strengthen his family because another tumor had recently been found after a long grueling year through surgeries and chemo. His faith is truly awesome!
"He will give you the desires of your heart". If you will be growing from your gift , He will, indeed, give it. If what you desire will harm you, He will not give it.
What about the person you pray for to be healed from a disease. Is that prayer going to work if the person you are praying for doesn't believe? I say no. They have no faith for their own healing.
I have a friend whom I love dearly and have for over 40 years, yet....I never ask her to pray for me. Why not? Because she looks at everything from the failure side. She is a *what will be, will be* person.
Other people will ask for prayer but, in truth, they relish their own infirmities!
Another friend that *develops* illness when she hears another person has it. She is relying on herself to have that disease. I doubt a week goes by that she isn't have one test or another run...except for her annual week in the mountains.
These people that I mention are Christians, not nonbelievers. They do not believe what the Bible says.
These reasons aren't because God wants these folks to go through these problems. They have chosen them!
I believe others ask for problems as well. As I also posted before ....imagination is a strong thing. The stronger the image is in your mind, the more difficult it is to dispel it and replace it with good thoughts. Satan may put some of those thoughts on us but we allow them to grow.
Blessings, guys...
Rita
Char,
I actually wrote that wrong, should have said *they are actually not believing...*. God is in control but we have to allow Him to work in our lives. He will never ask us to relinquish our *free will*, therefore, we must allow Him.
Blessings.....
Rita
Why do we go through what we do?
There are several reasons why....
1) we are being sanctified.
2) we live in a broken fallen world where these things are unavoidable
3) we need to learn mercy. grace, forgiveness, humility, compassion, patience, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, selfcontrol, gentleness towards others in all circumstances. This is how we learn---by doing.
4) we need to learn to put others before ourselves.
....other reasons I can't think of quickly.
God uses these circumstances so that we will dive into His Word and also into prayer to seek Him
God is very interested in making each of us more like Jesus. When He finally brings us home the work will be done. He's not finished with us yet.
....just a quick response today as this discussion grabbed my attention..
Bless you bro,
Carla
Carla
Lt got there first. So I will make three and we will agree in Jesus Name. From His Love, He only wants to bring us to the place we need to be, and will be the most effective. That we may yield, and bring to Him Glory.
Hi Chris,
Excellent lead-in of yours - We often wonder and at times get angry or just discouraged by things we go through. However, God does have reason why we go through things. Why, do you think we go through the things we do?
A couple of Bible passages from the Book of Acts:
Acts 1:7-8, " And He said to them,"It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. (8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and all Judea and Samaria, and to to the end of the earth."
Okay, with those words of Jesus in mind..... Let's go to Acts 8:1, '.............At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Can we say that God allowed the persecution of the new church to begin the spread of the Gospel to the area....and eventually the whole world? It appears so.
I wonder how that first congregation felt as they were being ousted from their homes, occupations, friends, etc..?
Do you think some were angry.... and thinking/saying, "Why God...why are you allowing these things to happen to your people??? Why?" ...Were some sorry they joined the Church of Jesus Christ?
Obviously, the gospel did spread as a result of this persecution.
So, whatever God puts His people through......it's for His glory, not ours.
And we can look at Carla's list and see these items being played out. It's all about God....not us.
The objective of this life.....is not this life.
Grace and Peace.
Richard
Amen and Thank you. You understood as Carla and a few others did. Bless You and good to see you once more.
Your Brother
Chris
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