Dear Christian,
Trials…
Tribulation…
Sickness…
Suffering…
Persecutions…
According to Scripture, these are the ingredients God uses to grow His children into Christian maturity and Christlikeness and prepare us for glory. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Yes, it’s hard, it’s tiring, it’s a struggle, but that’s the Christian life in a fallen, godless, rebellious, God-hating world. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19).
However, in all our struggles and trials in this veil of tears, we are not left to our own strength or resources, but James tells us, “He gives more grace” (James 4:6). Therefore, struggling Christian, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10). And so the Apostle Paul wrote, “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Take heart, Jesus will never leave or forsake His people!
—Pastor S. Henry