I want to give a shout-out, encouragement, and send prayers to you who are ready to give up. I speak blessings upon you who are contemplating throwing in the towel. Are you ready to walk away because God has not removed that thorn in your flesh? Are you ready to give up because He has not taken away that sickness, handicap, weakness, difficulty, relationship or whatever it is that’s causing you hardships? I’m praying that you don’t quit.
Would you believe that your suffering is a gift from God? What we see as a handicap, hardship, trouble, distress, persecution, or bad breaks are blessings from God that will ultimately draw us closer to Him (2 Cor. 12:7,10). This is God’s way of humbling us. His way of getting our attention.
“At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8-9, MSG)
Let’s be honest. If that thorn did not exist, if that problem was not there we probably would have our minds on other things, rather than God. Instead of being on our knees communicating with and crying out to our Heavenly Father, we’d probably be busy doing something else, doing our own thing. I know I would.
“Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees.” (2 Cor. 12:7b, MSG)
Now that God has our attention, now what? Appreciate the gift and the Giver. Let us be comforted and encouraged by Jesus’ words “My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you” (2 Cor. 12:9, AMP). God’s grace is sufficient (more than enough!) for what we’re facing. His grace is keeping us, enabling us to bear difficulties. God’s grace is empowering us to stand when we should be in a corner somewhere losing our minds.
My sister, let Christ take over. I’m praying that you rest only in His strength, peace, and love. Now may the God of all grace who has called us to His eternal glory through Christ Jesus, give you rest. After we have suffered a while, He will personally restore, support, establish, strengthen, and settle us. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever (1 Pet. 5:10-11).
Amen.
It’s Wednesday, Hump Day. Here’s our biblical principle to help us get over the hump.
I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become. (2 Cor. 12:10, MSG)
Let’s walk in freedom, together!
Your sis, Rhovonda
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