As unsightly and detestable as rubbish is, you’d be shocked to know what one man equates it to.
There are many things we might take pride in as individuals – our ethnicity, career status, education, passions, accomplishments, keeping of societal rules, etc.
Around the time of Jesus, there was a man named Saul who could brag of all these things. He was proud to be a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a model Hebrew. He followed all the rules in his law with great zeal. He’d risen to the heights of his religion and considered himself blameless when it came to following rules. (See Philippians 3:4-6)
Then he met Jesus and this changed everything. He was given the new name of Paul and his priorities were turned completely upside down.
In his growing intimacy with Jesus, Paul was given clarity to understand what has real value and what does not. We’d be wise to consider and apply what he learned.
Counted as Dung
From a Roman prison, approximately twenty years after his conversion to Christianity, Paul wrote, “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:7-8 NASB).
In these mind blowing words, Paul compares his very impressive worldly resume as a net loss compared to knowing Jesus Christ as his Lord. In fact, he literally revalues what he once held dear as having the same worth as rubbish, or dung, compared to gaining Christ.
This is shocking. How do we get our heads around such a comparison, especially when it comes to what we work so hard to gain?
If we grasp the meaning of what Paul is writing, it can forever change the trajectory of our lives. If we can regularly see things from the perspective he’s offering, it can reduce stress and fill our lives with exuberant joy.
As believers in Jesus Christ, Paul is telling us that the earthly things we’ve poured our lives into are actually detestable compared to something of much greater value.
What is so much greater?
Gaining Christ.
By receiving Jesus as our Savior, and knowing Him more and more, we’ve been granted something so fabulous that everything else is like crap in comparison.
If we’re able to adopt and maintain Paul’s new value system, our earthly “rubbish,” when surrendered to the cause of Christ, can actually be used to glorify God.
Prayer
Lord, as I allow the truth of what Paul wrote to sink in, it changes everything about everyday. I see that my accomplishments, social standing, and influence are only valuable to the extend that they aid in seeking Your kingdom and loving those You bring my way.
Knowing You, and living all of my life to glorify You, is what really matters. Earthly credentials do not define me. I offer all I have and all You’ve allowed me to accomplish back to You for Your glory.
I love you.
Amen.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24 NASB).
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Robby Buck
Novels by the Author:
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains
The sun is breaking through the clouds on this chilly, late January morning. As I approach the house, from Jack’s mid-morning walk, the warmth lures me to stay outside. Jack is a twelve-week-old Australian Shepherd, who became a member of our family a few weeks ago.
But, by the time I secure Jack, grab my lawn chair, journal, and water, the sun hides behind the greyness of the day. Hopeful it’s just a temporary pause in my winter “sun bath”, I toss Jack a treat, sip some water, and open my Bible.
I turn to the verse I’ve been draw to often this month. “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:3 NKJV).
Paul’s concern for the church at Corinth is about them being deceived. I get it. I believe I’ve been deceived as well.
My life seems anything but simple. From the divorce of my parents, earning an IT degree, raising four kids, maintaining a home, owning a business … Simple is not how I’d describe things.
Maybe my definition of the word is part of the problem. To me, simplicity seems to mean freedom from the complexities of life, uncomplicated. This can’t be what Paul meant. A smooth life was never promised.
The sun is peeking through again. A bit of warmth slathers my face.
Have I been wearing myself out seeking something that’s not possible?
From Jesus’ very words, I get my answer.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:27 NASB).
Simplicity isn’t peace as the world gives it.
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NASB).
Simplicity isn’t a life free of conflict and tribulation.
I know simplicity is possible, but I need understanding. What does true, Biblical simplicity really mean?
Pondering the question, I’m struck by two things:
The word we translate as “simplicity” in the original Greek means singular focus, sincerity, God seeking and not self-seeking, mental honesty.
Our simplicity is ‘in Christ‘.
Jack is getting restless. I know I need to stop soon. I press into God, Lord, show me how to live this life Paul is referring to.
Seek First
Tossing Jack a toy, Jesus’ words come to mind. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NASB).
The verses before this warn us against having a narrow focus on the world and the necessities of life. Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things (Matthew 6:31-32 NASB).
Jesus tells us to have a singular focus on God, His righteousness, and the reign of His ever-unfolding kingdom.
This seems hard, but God empowers us every step of the way. “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 NASB).
Love as He’s Loved us
Hours before He was crucified, Jesus said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:9-12 NASB).
Jesus boils things down to simple terms.
Love.
How do we love? As He’s loved us.
How much is that? As much as the Father loves Him.
And He tells us if we love others as He’s loved us, two amazing things happen:
We abide in His love
We receive His full joy
Wow, This is the kind of life I want.
Challenge
What’s crowding your mind this very moment? What thoughts and emotions seem to keep swirling around in your soul? It could be feelings of hurt, illnesses, concerns for loved ones, money problems …
Would you trade it all for a singular focus of seeking God’s kingdom by loving others?
Use the following verses as a type of vacuum cleaner for your soul, giving everyone and everything to God.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (I Peter 5:6-7 NASB).
Linger in the ever presence peace of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, like Eve, I’ve been deceived. I’ve too often allowed the cares of this life to be my focus. I’ve allowed circumstances to make my life feel complicated and anything but simple. Peace as the world gives it is never possible. You are my Peace.
You have given me understanding and insight.
With you working in me, I have all I need to live a life of simplicity in You.
Please remind me quickly when I allow the worries and distractions of this world to draw me from pure and simple devotion to you.
Keep me in the narrow focus of seeking Your kingdom asI love those You place in my path. May I view the challenges and duties of life, not as distraction and bothers, but as ways to serve you and love others.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Novels by the Author:
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family. Hope Remains
Why do difficult things happen to us even, in the midst of God’s presence?
Many an unbeliever has considered themselves on firm ground with this question. And they like to stoke up others into agreement. It’s a perplexing dilemma which gives pause to even the most faithful follower of Jesus.
John the Baptist, sitting in a dungy cell, went from pointing out Jesus as the Lamb of God, to wondering if another should be expected.
Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciplesand said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” (Matthew 11:2-3 NASB).
Jesus responded, telling John’s disciples to report to him that blind folks were seeing, the lame were walking, lepers were being cleansed, the dead were being raised, and the good news of the gospel was being preached to the poor. [1]
Then He said, “And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me” (Matthew 11:6 NASB).
Offense. From the Greek – to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way, to entice to sin, to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey, to cause to fall away.
Jesus goes on to praise John and to say, Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11 NASB).
Jesus calls John the greatest among those born of women, yet He realized offense can be taken when circumstances don’t turn out as expected.
Others have had similar confusion.
After the angel of the Lord said to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”[2] He asked, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13b NASB)
Since God is good and powerful, it seems natural to expect His presence to produce pleasant times. Like John and Gideon we can become disillusioned by how difficult our lives become, especially when we believe the Lord has the power to work things out.
In the midst of our hard times, how do we keep from stumbling and keep on trusting? How do keep on obeying and not become discouraged?
Jesus’ early disciples, who lived lives which were anything but smooth, had to learn to look at life from a higher perspective in order to begin to understand this dilemma.
And so do we.
What can keep us from taking offense when our lives get hard?
Blessed Are Those Who Don’t Take Offense.
Jesus’ message to John the Baptist about folks being blessed when they don’t take offense at Him, let’s us know it’s possible to see things in a different way.
But how?
We get some ideas by reading what a couple of Jesus’ disciples wrote after years of following Him.
Peter
The early life of Peter is widely known. Most have heard about how he denied Christ three times, even with a curse. [3] At that point in his life, though he was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, he hadn’t grasped how God can use hard times to achieve something far greater than carefree days. He was afraid that being truthful about knowing Jesus would be very dangerous to him.
Later, scholars think between 35 to 40 years after his denial, he wrote the following verses: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (I Peter 1:3-9 NASB).
Through these years, God had been at work, through Peter’s own trials, to give him a view of God’s eternal ways.
Here’s what he learned about God’s children:.
We will eventually earn an imperishable inheritance
We are being protected by the power of Christ for a salvation yet to be revealed
Various trials may be required to prove our faith, and deepen our trust in God.
Eventually these trials will result in praise, glory and honor
Even in the midst of trials, there’s great reason for us to rejoice and have expressible joy
Peter’s transformation is a miracle. And God is at work in us to achieve something similar.
What we learn through trials is better than life itself.
Paul
Paul’s early years are also well known. Until Jesus radically called him, he thought he was doing God’s bidding by killing Christians. He was on the wrong team.
But, like Peter, years of walking with Christ taught him how hard times can deepen his trust and build his relationship with God.
Take a look at some of the difficulties he faced for the sake of Christ recorded in 2nd Corinthians 11:23-28:
labors
imprisonments
beaten times without number
often in danger of death
five times he received thirty-nine lashes
three times beaten with rods
stoned
three times shipwrecked
spent a night and a day in the deep
dangers from rivers and robbers
many sleepless nights
in hunger and thirst, often without food
in cold and exposure
He knew personally what Jesus meant when He wrote, “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NASB)
Like Peter, Paul learned to see things from a much larger perspective. See his personal testimony, written for us:
“For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (II Corinthians 1:8-9 NASB).
It’s not easy to see the good when things are really hard, but Paul saw that it took utter despair for him to learn to stop trusting in himself. The situation was so dire, he could only cry out to God. And, in the process, his faith grew.
The Greater Story
Like John the Baptizer, Gideon, Peter and Paul, we have and will face circumstances which are beyond our abilities to endure. During these times, we need to be aware of God’s greater purpose for us.
God wants more for us than happy circumstances. When Paul tells us that God is working in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, he’s referring to something better than an easy life. God’s purposes are to give us the freedom and joy of being conformed into the image of Christ. [4]
There are profoundly sanctifying forces at work when we cling to Jesus in the midst of our pain. In our trials, our grip on lesser loves is loosened, freeing us to fully enjoy Jesus.
See what James wrote about the redeeming qualities of our afflictions and trials:
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 NASB).
Trials can bring us joy because they develop endurance which lead us to becoming complete, lacking nothing. Nothing means nothing. Trials can show us we don’t need a life of ease to be joyful.
Prayer
Lord, I’m sorry for ever assuming that being with You meant my life would be easy.
With Aspaph, I cry, “For me, the nearness of God is my good.” (Psalm 73:28)
You and You alone are my good, the source of all my joy [5] and my very great reward. [6]
I know You love me and that You want me to enjoy the moments of my life with You. But I also know, like Paul, from first hand experience, that You’ve used some really hard things to show me that I can’t depend upon anything in this world for my “okayness.”
Though I would have never chosen these particular trials in my life, I’m amazed at how I love you with greater ferocity because You use them to dislodge idols from my heart.
Please continue to show me anything and anyone I’ve chosen instead of You. Free me of these I pray.
I love you.
Amen
Journal Time
With your journal in hand, write about a hard situation in your life or in the life of someone you love. You may have more than one.
Write a prayer to God honestly telling Him how you are doing, in light of what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to express anger and disappointment, if that’s what you’re feeling. God can handle it. He wants us to come to Him in honesty. The real us coming before the God of all truth.
Consider ways He might have already been at work in these trials to conform you into the image of Christ. Write these things down.
Ask Him to give you the courage of His presence as you face life’s challenges.
Write about your willingness to face God’s will, even if it’s not what you might want.
If you were around when Gideon asked, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13b NASB)
Do you have a response to his question? If so, write it out.
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Novels by the Author:
Rob Buck
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains
Zerubbabel started out well. He’d led a group of Jews returning to Jerusalem from the Babylonian captivity. His mission was to rebuild the destroyed temple.
He had the credentials; a descendent of King David [1] and an ancestor of Jesus Christ. [2] But there were difficulties. Zerubbabel, along with the rest of the people, got side tracked from building God’s house while they built houses for themselves. Work on the temple slowed to a standstill for a number of years. [3]
Part of the problem was the opposition Zerubbabel faced from the Samaritans, who wrote slanderous letters to the Persian kings and hired counselors to intimidate and frustrate the workers. [4]
Zerubbabel and the Jews were discouraged. Amidst todays social and political unrest, as well as as economic instability, many of us can relate.
So what turned the tide? Four years later we read about a joyous dedication of the temple: And the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy (Ezra 6:16 NASB).
Along the way, discouragement was replaced by courage to accomplish what God was calling them to do.
That kind of courage would serve us well today.
What was the recipe for the courage which turned the whole affair around?
Turning the Tide from Discouragement to Courage.
A Call to Obedience
First, the Jews had to change their behavior. This was prompted by a call to obedience from the prophet Haggai: Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways!8 Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord.9 “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house … (Haggai 1:7-9 NASB)
This rebuke from God was a call to stop focusing on their paneled houses and complete the job of rebuilding the house of the Lord, which remained in desolate ruins. [5]
God’s word was heeded and the Jews obeyed. Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the Lord (Haggai 1:12).
Obedience is always the first step.
A Call to Courage
Then the Lord told the people, “I am with you.” Hearing this, the spirits of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people were stirred up. They pushed past the apathy and opposition and resumed work on the house of God. [6]
Then came the call to courage. But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.5 ‘As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!’ (Haggai 2:4-5).
The promise of God’s presence stirred up the spirits of the Jews and gave them great courage.
God’s presence turned the tide and mustered the hearts of His people to accomplish what He desired.
But it’s not just a one time reminder. We need to continually realize God’s nearness, especially when facing our own challenges. This awareness of His presence changes everything.
Rebuilding the temple was never easy. Zerubbabel the the Jews needed to constantly know they weren’t alone as they went about God’s business.
How about us?
Paneled Houses
Like Zerubbabel and the Jews, are we focused on our concerns while God’s work is being neglected? What are our paneled houses?
It’s a great question to ask. God was not condemning the Jews for having nice houses. The problem was their focus. Their desires had taken the place of what God desired.
What’s our focus? Are we consumed with our “needs” above God’s business? God tells us that if we focus on His kingdom, not our own, He’ll take care of what we need.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NASB).
“Aim at Heaven and you get Earth ‘thrown in’: aim at Earth and you will get neither.” (A Joyful Christian C.S. Lewis)
God is With us
As we endeavor upon what God is calling us to do, we’re never alone. The things God asks us to do, and to endure, are often extremely difficult. In our work for God, our weaknesses are exposed.
This a good thing. We sometimes face what we might call God sized problems – tasks which are impossible to accomplish without God working through us.
In our weaknesses, God is strong. [7]
As God’s children, we’ve been given His Spirit, which Paul calls the Holy Spirit of promise, [8] to indwell us.
The Holy Spirit, the promised presence of God, is to guide and empower us and give us courage for whatever we face. Right this moment, God’s Spirit indwells His children. Though we may not feel His nearness, He never leaves us.
Whatever our circumstances, we can embrace God’s presence. When we do, courage rises.
Prayer
Lord, what great encouragement You’ve given us with the story of Zerubbabel and the rest of the Jews. Though they were discouraged and distracted, they obeyed You. They drew great courage from their belief in Your nearness and from Your powerful presence. Thank you.
Today, You are as close as breath to us, Your children. You are with me right this moment, indwelling me, empowering me, guiding me, comforting me and loving me. Thank you!
Please help me abide in Your nearness and live my life in utter dependence upon You. Apart from You I can do nothing of eternal worth. I want to be about Your kingdom and Your business.
Please show me quickly when I focus on my own paneled houses and neglect what You desire for my life.
I love you.
Amen
Journal Time
With your journal in hand, spend time thinking about things of this world which tend to consume your focus. Ask God to bring clarity and write down your own “paneled houses”. Ask Him to show you what business of His you might be neglecting, like Zerubbabel and the Jews leaving God’s temple in ruins.
Based on what you believe He is telling you, write a prayer of repentance and obedience, asking Him to guide and empower you by His presence.
Thank Him for giving up His life up to save you and giving you His Holy Spirit to be your constant Helper. Thank Him for the Joy of His presence and the courage He gives you by His nearness.
Please Check out the Cola City Podcast . Discussions that impact the vision of reaching every man, woman, and child in a city.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Novels by the Author:
Rob Buck
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride (Psalm 46:1-3 NASB).
We know the value of receiving and knowing the love of God.
We know the Holy Spirit indwells us to empower us and guide our ways.
We know we’ve been raised up with Christ and given an eternal orientation.
We know God alone is our Highest Joy.
We know loving like Jesus fills our lives with joy.
We’re learning to build our lives around these and other spiritual fundamentals. However, when things get hard we can lose sight.
What keeps us courageous during life’s gut punches?
The Gut Punch
Really hard circumstances can feel like a gut punch. These severe trials, which send us staggering for stable footing, make us feel as if we’ve been swept onto an avalanche of shifting sand.
The death of a loved one, a severed relationship, acute health issue, financial collapse, etc. breed emotional turmoil. These heart breaks threaten our ability to cope with new realities and life’s never ending demands.
Following are a couple of rock-solid truths which hold no matter what. They bring us courage, during even the hardest of times.
Rocks of Stability
Abiding Nearness
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me (Psalm 23:4a NASB).
When I think of the shadow of death, a scene from Return of the King, comes to mind. As the brave trio approached the Haunted Mountain, Tolkien writes, “A dread fell on them, even as they passed between the lines of ancient stones and so came to the Dimholt. There under the gloom of black trees that not even Legolas could long endure they found a hollow place opening at the mountain’s root, and right in their path stood a single mighty stone like a finger of doom.” [1]
This scene drips with fear, but David assures us in the above Psalm that we can choose not to fear, no matter how thick the darkness. Why? Because God is with us. He is our ever present help, especially in times of trouble. [2]
God is always available to provide abundant comfort in all our afflictions. [3]
Jesus tells us not to be surprised by troubles. They will come. But in Him, we find peace and the courage to endure. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:33 NASB)
For You have been a refuge for me, A tower of strength against the enemy (Psalm 61:3 NASB).
Amid our toughest times, we receive courage because God will never leave or forsake us.
Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9b NASB).
God is our source of strength, especially in our pain.
The Greater Story
In our pain, we must understand God’s greater purposes.
Jesus tells us He came to give us abundant life. [4] But is abundant life the same thing as happy, smooth circumstances? Or is it the abundance of Christ’s nearness, like Rivers of Living Water welling up from within?
God wants more for us than a better life. When Paul tells us God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, he’s referring to something better than good circumstances. God’s purposes for us are to give us the freedom and joy of being conformed us into the image of Christ. [5]
There are profoundly sanctifying forces at work when we cling to Jesus in the midst of our pain. In our trials, our grip on lesser loves is loosened, freeing us to fully enjoy our Jesus.
See what James, Paul and Peter wrote about the redeeming qualities of our afflictions and trials:
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials,knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 NASB).
Trials bring us joy because they develop endurance which leads us to being complete, lacking nothing.
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction which occurred in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead (II Corinthians 1:8-9 NASB).
Hardships, especially the severe kinds, can cause us to stop trusting in ourselves and put our faith in God who raises the dead.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (I Peter 1:3-9 NASB).
As we rejoice in the eternal realities of our living hope, our unfading inheritance and the fact that we’re protected by the power of God, Peter tells us we may be distressed by various trials. He says these trials are necessary to prove our faith, as gold purified by fire. He says they result in inexpressible joy for us and praise and honor to God.
The truths concerning God’s greater purposes in our lives can help give us firm footing when life gets really hard. God is at work in our pain, even if we don’t see it.
Story:
A couple of weeks ago I lost my little sister. Even though we saw the signs mounting, her accelerated death caught us all by surprise. She literally worked the same week she died.
Her loss has been harder for me than the death of my parents ten years ago.
Even though she was my only sister, I would kid her by saying she was my favorite. Truly she was the best sister anyone could ask for. I can’t think of an argument we ever had during her entire life. Being the two oldest, we were foxhole buddies during the divorce of our parents. She was always there.
Her death is allowing me to access unshed tears from years gone by. Perhaps, for the first time, I’m learning to grieve.
Days after her death I cried out to the Lord in my journal, not knowing how to process my concern for her eternal state and the huge, gapping hole in my heart. I asked Him if He wanted to say anything to me.
In my spirit, I sensed Him say, “I am enough.”
No matter how sad I am and how much I grieve, God is enough. He is with me. To the extent I call to Him, especially in my pain, He is and will be my El Shaddai, my All Sufficient One.
Since then, as I travel this path of grief, I’m beginning to know God in a deeper way. It seems the greater my pain the greater His sufficiency.
Conclusion
Life is hard. We face troubles. What’s important is how we respond.
Do we keep on going, striving best we can, ignoring what we’re going through?
Do we dedicate ourselves to all manner of false affections which temporarily numb the pain?
Do we curl up in a fetal position and shut life out?
Or, do we recognize that what we’re going through is no surprise to God. Our God of all comfort is an ever-present help in our affliction. He is near to our broken heart. God can use our pain in marvelous ways we would have never perceived. Like a master surgeon, God is at work to free us to fully enjoy Him.
Prayer
Lord, I don’t grieve well. I don’t know how. I’m sorry for the many times I’ve minimized my pain because I didn’t know what to do with it. But You’re showing my that living with You in my pain gives me an opportunity to know You in uniquely deeper ways.
Please guide my grief of my sister. I miss her so much. Thank You that You are enough, even now.
Amen.
Personal Study
Highlight II Corinthians 1:3-10
Explain it in your own words
Apply it to your life
Respond to God in prayer
[1] The Return of the King, Houghton Mifflin 1956, p. 49
.Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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Novels by the Author:
What happens when a professor figures out how to send messages to his younger self to try and avoid the suicide of his best friend? Did he change more than he bargained for? Beyond Time
By finding two undelivered letters in a old shack deep in the woods, Cassie and Daniel unknowing set off a series of events which uncover a plot to wipe out a whole family Hope Remains
Weakness is not popular. In fact, if you do an internet search on common weaknesses, you find pages of ways to spin the classic interview question, “What are your weakness?” I understand. Until recently, I’ve been exuberant in my efforts to hide my weaknesses or to overcome them by excessive striving. Exhausting.
But this is changing. I’m learning weaknesses are actually beneficial. Two extraordinary truths are moving from mere facts to experiential realties. One detaches weaknesses from having anything to do with my worth. The other flips weakness upside down, completely reversing the outcome.
Christ is Our Identity
As believers in Jesus Christ, our lives have been hidden in Him.[1] Because Jesus has redeemed us with His life, we’re clothed in His righteousness.[2] When God sees us, He sees Christ. Spiritually, we’ve been raised up in Christ and are seated with Him in heavenly places.[3]
Being in Christ, God values us as His Beloved Son. This trumps all human opinions about us, even our own. Though we strive to forge out our identity by what we do and how we think we’re perceived, God’s thoughts about us define who we are. Since Christ doesn’t change, our identity is sealed.
Weakness never defines who I am.
In Christ, Weakness = Power
The Apostle Paul had a weakness. He called it his “thorn in the flesh.”[4] We don’t know exactly what it was, but it tormented him so much that he pleaded with the Lord to take it away.
The Lord’s answer, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB)
Power perfected in weakness sounds strange. But to the extent we think we’re strong, we won’t depend on the Lord. Our work is wasted. Detached from the Source of True Life, we may be exalted, but He is not.
Embracing our weakness and drawing on God’s strength fills us with His resurrection power. As Christ is formed in us, God gets he glory. We must decrease, while Christ increases.[5]
Paul put it this way, Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 NASB)
Our weaknesses highlight our need to abide in Christ, our inner Source of Life and Strength.
Lord, I’m sorry for how I’ve tried to cover up and overcome my weaknesses without You. Weakness leads me to You. Thank You that my weaknesses have no effect on my worth because You value me. The most important thing about me is being loved by You. I want to embrace my weaknesses and stop trying to fix things on my own. You never intended to make a better version of me. I died and my life is hidden in You. When I know I’m weak, in You I am strong. Teach me to yield always to Your life within. Be glorified in me. Amen.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)[1]
Troublesome monkeys have been known to be caught with a simple trap which plays on their unwillingness to open their hands. A coconut is hollowed out with a hole just big enough for the monkey’s hand to fit in. Sweet rice is placed inside. When a monkey reaches in and grabs the bait, their fist is stuck in the hole. Unwilling to open their hands and give up the prize, the monkey is trapped and eventually caught.
We can learn from their ignorant stubbornness. We’re to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. But we can be fooled into loving the good things of life above Him. God wants us to experience Him as our highest Joy. When we hold tightly to earthly idols, our hearts are trapped and limited to fleeting, temporal joys. We’re unstable and tossed into the changing seas of circumstance. But we need to know God is at work in us to conform us into the image of His Son and to free us into the complete Joy of knowing Him as our Pearl of Great Value, worth all we have.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (Romans 8:28-29)
The ‘good’ God is causing in our lives may require the violent prying away of the sweet rice we clutch in our hands. It may hurt, but it’s for our greater good. It might seem unloving, but as a parent protects a child from harm, God is at work in His children.
For Paul, he needed to learn to not depend on himself. See what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead;
What’s keeping us bound up in the monkey trap? Do we depend too much on ourselves? What are we afraid to let of go because we don’t think we’ll be okay when we do? Among other things, I’ve needed to let go of self-effort, family, success and peace as the world give it. When I value these things above God, I’m trapped. I can feel discouraged and the flow of joy being drained from my life.
See Peter’s conclusion of this process toward the end of his life: In this (our Living Hope and Inheritance) you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:6-9)
When we understand God’s greater purposes for our lives and grow in our realization of His eternal love, we’re infused with courage for the trials we face.
Lord, please continue to show me things I’m holding onto which keep me trapped to this world. Like Peter, may I embrace the trials which chisel me more and more into Your image and reveal the utter joy of Your presence. I know You love me and have my better good in mind. I open the hands of my heart to You.
[1] All quotes from Scripture and from the New American Standard version of the Bible (NASB)
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading.
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. (Philippians 2:17-18)
I wish I always considered others first, but when I looked under the hood there’s still a whole lot of me going on. God has been working for a while now to pry my heartstrings free from putting my interests first. It’s taken very hard circumstances to realize life is not all about things working out nicely for me. God’s is showing me that His nearness is my good.[1] My job is to consider the needs of others and to love sacrificially.[2]
It’s a steamy summer mid-August morning. My glasses fog up as I walk out to our screened porch. Surprisingly, dried leaves already scatter the barnyard covering the scorched remains of winter rye. A hummingbird whizzes in for a drink and speeds away. As I write, a fan refreshes my face and blows across my hairless head.
All week the truths of Philippians two have rolled over and over in my heart. This chapter contradicts prevailing entitlement sentiments which promise fulfilment and happiness from seeking what’s best for us. It calls us to a trusting, selfless attitude which frees us up to truly love others as Christ has loved us. I see four examples of this self-less love in the chapter.
Jesus demonstrated this attitude first for all of us to follow. Though He existed as God, He emptied Himself, becoming void, serving us by dying to set us free.[3]
Paul writes of his own desire to follow this sacrificial attitude of Christ. He says that even if his own life was being poured out as a drink offering for the Philippians, it would give him great joy.[4]
Timothy is genuinely concerned for the welfare of the Philippians, living out Christ’s desire to seek the interest of others.[5]
Epaphroditus didn’t want the Philippians worried about his illness. He poured himself out to the point of death in service to them.[6]
I fry bacon and make BT toast (we’re out of lettuce) using a plumb ripe tomato from our friend’s garden. I drink milk out of a mug our daughter gave us, engraved with the word ‘Joy’.
I have a long way to go to follow in the steps of these four. But I’m seeing there’s freedom in selfless living. If I truly trust God has my best interest in mind, I’m less and less concerned about me and how life is working out.
I taste a savory bite of toast, slathered in mayonnaise. I feel very in the moment. I sense Christ’s nearness. He indwells me by His Holy Spirit. He’s closer than breathe. As I trust and abide, He’s teaching me the joy of loving others the way He’s loved me.[7]
When the world says ‘me’, ‘me’. The Lord tells us to trust Him. He’s taking care of us. We’re free to enJoy His nearness and to love others as He’s loved us.
Lord, please teach me how to begin each day trusting you have my best interest in mind, no matter what troubles I might face. Remind me of your complete, constant love. As I yield to you, show me how to love others. There’s great freedom and Joy in trusting and loving like You.
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post once a week. Thank you for reading.
I started the morning bemoaning. Rather than focusing on Christ and His work, all I could think about were my failures. They were like pesky gnats swirling around. But these unwelcomed intruders of my peace and joy found nowhere to land. God is doing a deep work in my heart. Father is teaching me that if I’ll bring these feelings to Him and not stuff them under a rock in my heart, He’ll expose them. So, I sat down, asking Him to center me in His truth.
Opening my Bible, headed one way, He redirected. Philippians 2:21 leapt off the page, “For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ.”
Isn’t that what I’m doing? I thought, looking after my own interests. Worrying about how I did instead of what Christ accomplished on my behalf, seeking my identity again in success instead of the fact that I’m loved by the Creator of the universe.
So what are Christ’s interests? Digging into the passage more, I see Paul is comparing Timothy to others. And in the verse before, I see my answer. Speaking of Timothy, Paul writes.
“For I have no one else of kindred spirit, who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.”[1]
What are you showing me God?
Following is what I hear in my heart:
“Robby (this is my childhood nickname and I hear God speak to me tenderly as speaking to His loved child), you see I’m teaching you slowly, but very deeply that you can truly rest in what I’ve done. Those lies you woke up with can’t penetrate My love. Before they would have landed, taken root and spread. I’m healing your heart from deep lies and making you whole.
What I want to show you this morning is that you can trust Me with you. I’ve got you. I always had you and nothing can disrupt My incredible love for you. Being loved and cared for by Me completely frees you up for the work I have for you.
Look at every person I put in your path, starting with your wife and family, as my invitation to you. When you are with a person, or a person comes to mind, know these are from me. Don’t worry about what you think your work is. Trust all that to me.
And it’s not really you doing it. As you yield to My Spirit in you, I’m the one really loving them.
And by the way, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11
You will stay rooted in My love and walk around in full joy as you love others as I have loved you.” [3]
Challenge: Think of an area of your life which consistently makes you feel like a failure, an area you blew it big time. It’s okay if there’s more than one.
Assuming you are a believing child of God, does God see you as a failure in this area?
The answer is no. Remember, When God sees you, He sees His Son Jesus Christ, in whom He is well pleased.
You have a choice. Do you want to assess your value based on what God thinks about you? Or do you want to assess your value based on what you perceive others think about you because of your failure?
Based on your answer, either joy or sadness awaits you.
If you are not a child of God, this one failure does not define you either. In fact, feel free to replace the failure you’ve been thinking about with your most shining achievement. The result will be the same. Or, feel free to use the moral record of Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. Same.
All fall short of the glory of God. If it weren’t so God wouldn’t be God. And the penalty for not being perfect is separation from God. Sounds very harsh if you don’t understand Christ’s rescue and deliverance.
Without Christ, we live with our failures. We aren’t identified as His children. We can’t be with Him now or ever. We’re left to fight for purpose, identity and hope in the roller coaster of the human struggle to survive in a world filled with evil.
With Christ, all our failures are taken away as far as the east is from the west. Our past, present and future is swallowed up in His great love. We have moment by moment purpose, joy and hope.
There is great joy in resting in what Christ has done, forgetting failures and delighting in His everlasting love for you.
