Philippians 4:14 ESV
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
How great a blessing it is to have brothers and sisters who are willing to allow one to share one's burdens. Certainly we all have our own burdens to bear but to take on those of another is truly a good work.
Alone is possibly one of the most tragic feelings a believer can have. To feel that one cannot share one's burdens is a very sad feeling. Alone is a tough thing to feel, yet it is all too common among believers.
Yes, we know that He is always with us, but it was not His plan that He be the only one who is there for us.
Galatians 6:2 ESV
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We are admonished to bear one another's burdens. This is not optional. This is an imperative. But sadly, it is one that is more often avoided than embraced.
We, Patti and I, are wonderfully blessed by folks who are willing to shoulder our burdens both in prayer and engagement. They may tire under the load but they never put it down. Even when their own loads are heavy and pressing they open their hearts and arms to ours. It is a great gift and a great part of God's plan for His people.
God does not tell us to "fix" the burdens of others, although if we can we should, but rather to "bear" them. The primary way we do this is by being willing to be informed of those burdens. Unfortunately there is little place or time in the life of the Church for such things to happen. Also, I think that we are afraid to know the burdens of others because they may impose some strong response on our part, some sacrificial response.
Knowing the burdens of another does carry it's own responsibility. If nothing else, it carries the obligation to really pray for them and WITH them. It is not the bullet prayer that is needed but the deep, knowledgeable, sincere and focused prayer. It means entering their battleground with petitions and supplications on their behalf. It also requires that we stay informed of their needs by staying engaged. It is a sad propensity for us to hear of a burden and then avoid it for fear we will be called to actually do something regarding it.
We can testify to the wonderfulness of having brothers and sisters who engage, stay engaged and do what they can to help bear the burden. Just the knowledge that we are remembered, especially remembered in prayer, is a comfort beyond price. That someone is carrying us to the throne of grace is indeed a great comfort, blessing and encouragement.
Philemon 1:7 ESV
For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 ESV
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a great and wonderful thing to pray for! What a blessing to those for whom we pray! Oh that we all might so lovingly consider our brothers and sisters in Christ!
We all resolve to do good and to do good works for the glory of our heavenly Father so them it is imperative that we pray concerning this for one another? How much more encouraging can we get than to make the good desires of our family's heart a matter for diligent prayer. Oh how we would be co-laborers in the best sense if we all undertook to do such praying but we need to know those things which our brothers and sisters have resolved to be and to do.
Here again, I have to express my concern that in the conservative anti-cultural swing of the pendulum, the church has disallowed any forum for us to be informed by and concerning our brothers and sisters'resolutions. That intimate connection, for ministry is left to chance. In our desire to get the world out of the church, we have severed many opportunities for true and glorious fellowship.
The Puritans held what they called "conferences", which we would call small groups. These conferences were disciplined serious. meetings where the truth was discussed and lives were shared. At these conferences, not only did they discuss theology and doctrine but the shared what I call "Kindom hopes." By that I mean the dearly held intimate and individual asperations of those attending. These were not self-help or therapeutic groups (although they were helpful and therapeutic) but were the venue where true and orderly fellowship took place.
By fellowship, I refer to the strictest definition of the biblical term. This is not socializing but rather the holding and sharing of our common faith as it relates to our individual lives. These gatherings are not rodeos where folks would spill their guts, but rather serious interactions concerning the individual needs, asperations and resolutions of the believers.
How else, where else are we to come into contact with the hearts of our brothers and sisters? Certainly not in the choreographed order of worship. That would not be appropriate or fitting. Worship is a part of everthing we do in His name but that special time on the Lord's day is about Him not us. But we desperately need a venue where we can and may share with one another the glories and struggles of following Him - especially how we can pray for one another as we seek to be about serving Him.
I, and I am sure many of you, desire to pray for our brothers and sisters in an intelligent and informed manner. I find vague and generic prayers very frustrating. I desire to pray for my hopes and dreams in the Lord as well as yours. I know mine, it is yours I long to know. Otherwise my prayers for you seem crippled by ingnorance and hollow in their vagueness. We want our prayers to be intimate and to the point, not general and hollow. No, there is nothing "WRONG" with generalized and vague prayers but I think we miss the best of prayer when we are so limited.
+
Do you suffer the same frustrations as I concerning this matter? If so, begin now to be more intentional in asking for and receiving requests for prayer. If someone desires "growth in Christ," ask them in what specific areas. Ask them what their Kingdom hopes and dreams are. Ask....ask....ask and then ask.
As far as fellowship for the purpose of informing our prayers for one another, start with one other person. Pray that the Lord will help you find a kindred spirit in this matter and you two begin to "conference." If it pleases God to do so, your little one on one can grow into a powerful, deep and meaningful (not mention Christ honoring) opportunity.
But I would warn you. Though such fellowship can certainly be therapeutic this is not to be a Christian group therapy sesson. We gather in
conference to do serious work, to gain the information we need to pray wisely and well. Nor is it a social gathering. It has a specific end in sight and will take resolve to keep it from degenerating into a social gathering.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, [12] so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
What a great and wonderful thing to pray for! What a blessing to those for whom we pray! Oh that we all might so lovingly consider our brothers and sisters in Christ!
We all resolve to do good and to do good works for the glory of our heavenly Father so them it is imperative that we pray concerning this for one another? How much more encouraging can we get than to make the good desires of our family's heart a matter for diligent prayer. Oh how we would be co-laborers in the best sense if we all undertook to do such praying but we need to know those things which our brothers and sisters have resolved to be and to do.
Here again, I have to express my concern that in the conservative anti-cultural swing of the pendulum, the church has disallowed any forum for us to be informed by and concerning our brothers and sisters'resolutions. That intimate connection, for ministry is left to chance. In our desire to get the world out of the church, we have severed many opportunities for true and glorious fellowship.
The Puritans held what they called "conferences", which we would call small groups. These conferences were disciplined serious. meetings where the truth was discussed and lives were shared. At these conferences, not only did they discuss theology and doctrine but the shared what I call "Kindom hopes." By that I mean the dearly held intimate and individual asperations of those attending. These were not self-help or therapeutic groups (although they were helpful and therapeutic) but were the venue where true and orderly fellowship took place.
By fellowship, I refer to the strictest definition of the biblical term. This is not socializing but rather the holding and sharing of our common faith as it relates to our individual lives. These gatherings are not rodeos where folks would spill their guts, but rather serious interactions concerning the individual needs, asperations and resolutions of the believers.
How else, where else are we to come into contact with the hearts of our brothers and sisters? Certainly not in the choreographed order of worship. That would not be appropriate or fitting. Worship is a part of everthing we do in His name but that special time on the Lord's day is about Him not us. But we desperately need a venue where we can and may share with one another the glories and struggles of following Him - especially how we can pray for one another as we seek to be about serving Him.
I, and I am sure many of you, desire to pray for our brothers and sisters in an intelligent and informed manner. I find vague and generic prayers very frustrating. I desire to pray for my hopes and dreams in the Lord as well as yours. I know mine, it is yours I long to know. Otherwise my prayers for you seem crippled by ingnorance and hollow in their vagueness. We want our prayers to be intimate and to the point, not general and hollow. No, there is nothing "WRONG" with generalized and vague prayers but I think we miss the best of prayer when we are so limited.
+
Do you suffer the same frustrations as I concerning this matter? If so, begin now to be more intentional in asking for and receiving requests for prayer. If someone desires "growth in Christ," ask them in what specific areas. Ask them what their Kingdom hopes and dreams are. Ask....ask....ask and then ask.
As far as fellowship for the purpose of informing our prayers for one another, start with one other person. Pray that the Lord will help you find a kindred spirit in this matter and you two begin to "conference." If it pleases God to do so, your little one on one can grow into a powerful, deep and meaningful (not mention Christ honoring) opportunity.
But I would warn you. Though such fellowship can certainly be therapeutic this is not to be a Christian group therapy sesson. We gather in
conference to do serious work, to gain the information we need to pray wisely and well. Nor is it a social gathering. It has a specific end in sight and will take resolve to keep it from degenerating into a social gathering.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Even more....2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Even more.......
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There is a "Why" to the comfort we receive from God and if there is a "Why" for that comfort there is a "Why" for the affliction as well. First, we have to understand and accept that as Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world. It is a fallen, broken world, a far cry from what God intended. It is a sin ravaged world, warped and twisted, full of sorrow and woe. Until He returns ( Please God let it be soon!). We will suffer travesty and affliction. But affliction is not without purpose.
First, affliction proclaims the creation's brokenness, man's fallenness and the desperate need for a redeemer. It isn't how it should be! It must be righted but only God in Christ can right it. Second, afflictions are intended to demonstrate man's individual and collective need to be dependent upon God. Third, afflictions demonstrate God's mercy as He brings comfort in or resolution to our afflictions. Fourth, afflictions are intended to draw us to the only source of purpose and comfort.
Like afflictions, comfort has a purpose that is beyond simply easing our discomfort. The comfort we receive from God is intended to be passed to others in need, others suffering from affliction. It is a mercy that is to be extended beyond the recipient to the next person. It is to be shared abroad to His glory and honor.
Now for an aside. For over 20 years I have had the privilege of serving, "the least of these." From the homeless to the addicted to the mentally ill, God has allowed me to serve these oh so special men and women. Why? Simply put, because there is typically no ministry to them within the local church. Right doctrine and a correct worship style are important and good but if there is no ministry to the broken and hurting then the church is failing to fulfill her whole warrant. There is little, if any true pastoral ministry in most churches today. By "pastoral" in this context I mean Christ centered, Bible based, "out of the pulpit and on the front lines," ministry. I refer to the warrant to the church:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
That is not pulpit work, that is people work. That is the work of passing on that comfort with which God comforts us.
Enough of that "bunny trail."
You should understand that in this verse it does not refer to how God "got us through" the affliction but rather how God is comforting us "IN" our dynamic, on going, current affliction. We are comforted in the affliction we suffer NOW so we may comfort others in the affliction they suffer NOW! In this verse it is not about the affliction God resolved but it is about the affliction in my life that is unresolved in which God is comforting me. It is not, "I once went through that and God ......." but rather, "I am suffering X and God is comforting my by Y."
Certainly we can offer the comfort we received during an affliction that God has since resolved, but we are to be offering comfort even while we undergo an unresolved affliction. This is a dynamic, in the midst of the affliction offer of the comfort we are receiving!
It is getting out there in the midst of the pain and connecting with a brother or sister in Christ who is dealing with some affliction and connecting with them to share the comfort we are experiencing. It is not giving some testimony of a deliverance, but a testimony to active comfort in an active affliction.
But alas, we are taught in most local churches to not do this, to keep our afflictions (and comfort) to ourselves. We are not to disturb the nice neat order with our messy afflictions. Instead, we are typically sent out into the wilderness to find our own comfort, admonishment, encouragement, and help.
Pray brothers and sisters and pray hard that God will correct this short-fall in His churches. Are you in some affliction and are you receiving comfort from our loving God? Then pray that He will connect you with someone who needs you to share that comfort. Are you suffering some affliction? Then pray God will send someone in affliction who has God's comfort to share.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
There is a "Why" to the comfort we receive from God and if there is a "Why" for that comfort there is a "Why" for the affliction as well. First, we have to understand and accept that as Jesus said, we will have tribulation in this world. It is a fallen, broken world, a far cry from what God intended. It is a sin ravaged world, warped and twisted, full of sorrow and woe. Until He returns ( Please God let it be soon!). We will suffer travesty and affliction. But affliction is not without purpose.
First, affliction proclaims the creation's brokenness, man's fallenness and the desperate need for a redeemer. It isn't how it should be! It must be righted but only God in Christ can right it. Second, afflictions are intended to demonstrate man's individual and collective need to be dependent upon God. Third, afflictions demonstrate God's mercy as He brings comfort in or resolution to our afflictions. Fourth, afflictions are intended to draw us to the only source of purpose and comfort.
Like afflictions, comfort has a purpose that is beyond simply easing our discomfort. The comfort we receive from God is intended to be passed to others in need, others suffering from affliction. It is a mercy that is to be extended beyond the recipient to the next person. It is to be shared abroad to His glory and honor.
Now for an aside. For over 20 years I have had the privilege of serving, "the least of these." From the homeless to the addicted to the mentally ill, God has allowed me to serve these oh so special men and women. Why? Simply put, because there is typically no ministry to them within the local church. Right doctrine and a correct worship style are important and good but if there is no ministry to the broken and hurting then the church is failing to fulfill her whole warrant. There is little, if any true pastoral ministry in most churches today. By "pastoral" in this context I mean Christ centered, Bible based, "out of the pulpit and on the front lines," ministry. I refer to the warrant to the church:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV
And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
That is not pulpit work, that is people work. That is the work of passing on that comfort with which God comforts us.
Enough of that "bunny trail."
You should understand that in this verse it does not refer to how God "got us through" the affliction but rather how God is comforting us "IN" our dynamic, on going, current affliction. We are comforted in the affliction we suffer NOW so we may comfort others in the affliction they suffer NOW! In this verse it is not about the affliction God resolved but it is about the affliction in my life that is unresolved in which God is comforting me. It is not, "I once went through that and God ......." but rather, "I am suffering X and God is comforting my by Y."
Certainly we can offer the comfort we received during an affliction that God has since resolved, but we are to be offering comfort even while we undergo an unresolved affliction. This is a dynamic, in the midst of the affliction offer of the comfort we are receiving!
It is getting out there in the midst of the pain and connecting with a brother or sister in Christ who is dealing with some affliction and connecting with them to share the comfort we are experiencing. It is not giving some testimony of a deliverance, but a testimony to active comfort in an active affliction.
But alas, we are taught in most local churches to not do this, to keep our afflictions (and comfort) to ourselves. We are not to disturb the nice neat order with our messy afflictions. Instead, we are typically sent out into the wilderness to find our own comfort, admonishment, encouragement, and help.
Pray brothers and sisters and pray hard that God will correct this short-fall in His churches. Are you in some affliction and are you receiving comfort from our loving God? Then pray that He will connect you with someone who needs you to share that comfort. Are you suffering some affliction? Then pray God will send someone in affliction who has God's comfort to share.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
More 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
MORE....
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Comfort. A curious thing. What we are comforted by in affliction can be as varied as the afflictions themselves. Though the comforts God provides are "common" like the trials we face, they like our afflictions, are quite intimate and individual. Certainly, we may all be comforted by all the promises in the Gospel we are also comforted by unique and very personal mercies.
In affliction we need to examine not only the affliction but we need to examine or look for that which brings us comfort. The danger we face is in comforting the flesh instead of the spirit. We talk of "comfort" food which my make us feel better but usually does little for our health and certainly does nothing for our spirit. We need to be very careful to examine what comforts us and we need to begin by asking if indeed it is a comfort from God.
The world, the flesh and the devil will always seek to take advantage of us when we are under affliction. When we are weak and most prone to lean on our own strength and wisdom that unholy three will do everything they can to lead us into comforts that are really no comfort at all. They seek to trap us into accepting counterfeit comforts which only serve to make our affliction worse and lead us to feel even further away from the Lord.
God's comforts are not primarily about making us "feel" better but rather they are intended to strengthen our faith and bring peace to our hearts. God wants us to lean upon Him all the time and especially in times of affliction. Indeed, the very purpose of many afflictions is to bring us back under His care, leaning on His provision. His comforts are intended for our growth, our perseverance and not necessarily for us to feel better. If they are to make us "feel" anything, it is confidence, strength, hope, love, etc.
God's comforts are, well, godly. They are part and parcel of His holiness and our sanctificaton.
Jesus asks:
Matthew 7:9-11 ESV
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This is as applicable to comforts as it is to any other prayer request we may make. Of course I would ask, which one of you, if his son asks for a serpent will give him one? In other words, there are times, and I suspect many times, when what we are praying for what we think is a "fish" is in truth a serpent.
James writes:
James 4:3, 7 ESV
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Comfort is not always about feeling better. That is a tough truth but a safe one. We have to pray hard that our hearts and minds will be open and receptive to the comfort that God would send and not demand what we believe will comfort us. We need, as I have said, to examine what we believe will comfort us to see if it is godly and according to His will.
Will it draw me closer to Him. Will it bring honor to His name? Will it contribute to my growing more like Christ. Is this a godly comfort,
In all affliction James' admonition is paramount:
James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
In affliction our only and best hope is to submit ourselves to God, accepting the affliction as from Him and seeking how we may glorify Him in it. This will go a long way to enable us to seek, receive and ackowledge the comfort He provides and not seek those comforts which are counterfeits, traps.
What comforts you? What do you seek in affliction? Do you cry out to God for the comfort He wants you to have, do you submit yourself to His will? What comforts you?
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Comfort. A curious thing. What we are comforted by in affliction can be as varied as the afflictions themselves. Though the comforts God provides are "common" like the trials we face, they like our afflictions, are quite intimate and individual. Certainly, we may all be comforted by all the promises in the Gospel we are also comforted by unique and very personal mercies.
In affliction we need to examine not only the affliction but we need to examine or look for that which brings us comfort. The danger we face is in comforting the flesh instead of the spirit. We talk of "comfort" food which my make us feel better but usually does little for our health and certainly does nothing for our spirit. We need to be very careful to examine what comforts us and we need to begin by asking if indeed it is a comfort from God.
The world, the flesh and the devil will always seek to take advantage of us when we are under affliction. When we are weak and most prone to lean on our own strength and wisdom that unholy three will do everything they can to lead us into comforts that are really no comfort at all. They seek to trap us into accepting counterfeit comforts which only serve to make our affliction worse and lead us to feel even further away from the Lord.
God's comforts are not primarily about making us "feel" better but rather they are intended to strengthen our faith and bring peace to our hearts. God wants us to lean upon Him all the time and especially in times of affliction. Indeed, the very purpose of many afflictions is to bring us back under His care, leaning on His provision. His comforts are intended for our growth, our perseverance and not necessarily for us to feel better. If they are to make us "feel" anything, it is confidence, strength, hope, love, etc.
God's comforts are, well, godly. They are part and parcel of His holiness and our sanctificaton.
Jesus asks:
Matthew 7:9-11 ESV
Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? [11] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
This is as applicable to comforts as it is to any other prayer request we may make. Of course I would ask, which one of you, if his son asks for a serpent will give him one? In other words, there are times, and I suspect many times, when what we are praying for what we think is a "fish" is in truth a serpent.
James writes:
James 4:3, 7 ESV
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Comfort is not always about feeling better. That is a tough truth but a safe one. We have to pray hard that our hearts and minds will be open and receptive to the comfort that God would send and not demand what we believe will comfort us. We need, as I have said, to examine what we believe will comfort us to see if it is godly and according to His will.
Will it draw me closer to Him. Will it bring honor to His name? Will it contribute to my growing more like Christ. Is this a godly comfort,
In all affliction James' admonition is paramount:
James 4:7 ESV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
In affliction our only and best hope is to submit ourselves to God, accepting the affliction as from Him and seeking how we may glorify Him in it. This will go a long way to enable us to seek, receive and ackowledge the comfort He provides and not seek those comforts which are counterfeits, traps.
What comforts you? What do you seek in affliction? Do you cry out to God for the comfort He wants you to have, do you submit yourself to His will? What comforts you?
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I have always loved this verse. It has never ceased to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me as I deal with the day to day issues that surround the melancholy from which I suffer. But ya know, though it is a great passage it has to be understood within the individual context of our circumstances for its value to be truly appreciated.
The first thing we need to reflect upon is exactly how God is merciful to us in our affliction. Of course, the big thing is that it could always be worse than it is or it could be a different and more crippling affliction. We never understand this until we actually consider the possibility of a greater and more difficult affliction. I really believe that each persons afflicton is tailor made for their maturity, ability and need. There are no purposeless afflictions. Nor are they arbitrary or random. They are individual and specific to each of us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Though our " temptation" or more accurately "trial" can be listed in a plethora of trials available, OUR trial is specific to US. As there are no cooky - cutter blessing and no recipes for endurance, there are no cooky - cutter afflictions. Each and every affliction is specific to the individual facing it. Each affliction is "special."
Trials are common to all men but our trial is our trial. It is packed in with all our "baggage" which gives it that unique flavor. Because of this a lot of the "encouragement" we're offered sounds terribly hollow. People lovingly seek to encourage us and it is a kindness but we always have the , "Yes, BUT....." in the back of our minds. It is, I believe, true that, " Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus." They may have had a similar experience but MY trouble is MY trouble. Yes?????
We need to own our trials and know them as well as possible. They need to be prayerfully examined and not just accepted on face value. As we examine them we will see the dynamic of the trial...the components and secondary causes and we can then pray with greater wisdom and insight concerning them. Trust me, ignorant prayers, though acceptable, are not nearly as useful as prayer born out of deep and meaningful reflection. Especially concerning the trials and afflictions we face.
We do so need wisdom in affliction and we are promised that His wisdom is available for the asking. BUT when we ask we need to purpose to use it! It does us no good to ask and receive if we do not plan to do the wisdom work. That means we have to sit down, perhaps with pen and paper, and really consider our affliction within the context of our redemption and our abiding sin. I fear that this is the only way we can gain a solid and meaningful understanding and appreciation of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It ain't magical folks, it all takes our cooperator with the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about "works" but it is about "work."
I'm not done with this passage but will end this at this point to allow you time to prayerfully consider what has been offered here. I pray that you will grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all God has done, is doing and will do in your life that it will glorify His name and bring peace to your soul.
Michael
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
I have always loved this verse. It has never ceased to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me as I deal with the day to day issues that surround the melancholy from which I suffer. But ya know, though it is a great passage it has to be understood within the individual context of our circumstances for its value to be truly appreciated.
The first thing we need to reflect upon is exactly how God is merciful to us in our affliction. Of course, the big thing is that it could always be worse than it is or it could be a different and more crippling affliction. We never understand this until we actually consider the possibility of a greater and more difficult affliction. I really believe that each persons afflicton is tailor made for their maturity, ability and need. There are no purposeless afflictions. Nor are they arbitrary or random. They are individual and specific to each of us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Though our " temptation" or more accurately "trial" can be listed in a plethora of trials available, OUR trial is specific to US. As there are no cooky - cutter blessing and no recipes for endurance, there are no cooky - cutter afflictions. Each and every affliction is specific to the individual facing it. Each affliction is "special."
Trials are common to all men but our trial is our trial. It is packed in with all our "baggage" which gives it that unique flavor. Because of this a lot of the "encouragement" we're offered sounds terribly hollow. People lovingly seek to encourage us and it is a kindness but we always have the , "Yes, BUT....." in the back of our minds. It is, I believe, true that, " Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus." They may have had a similar experience but MY trouble is MY trouble. Yes?????
We need to own our trials and know them as well as possible. They need to be prayerfully examined and not just accepted on face value. As we examine them we will see the dynamic of the trial...the components and secondary causes and we can then pray with greater wisdom and insight concerning them. Trust me, ignorant prayers, though acceptable, are not nearly as useful as prayer born out of deep and meaningful reflection. Especially concerning the trials and afflictions we face.
We do so need wisdom in affliction and we are promised that His wisdom is available for the asking. BUT when we ask we need to purpose to use it! It does us no good to ask and receive if we do not plan to do the wisdom work. That means we have to sit down, perhaps with pen and paper, and really consider our affliction within the context of our redemption and our abiding sin. I fear that this is the only way we can gain a solid and meaningful understanding and appreciation of the circumstances we find ourselves in. It ain't magical folks, it all takes our cooperator with the work of the Holy Spirit. This isn't about "works" but it is about "work."
I'm not done with this passage but will end this at this point to allow you time to prayerfully consider what has been offered here. I pray that you will grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all God has done, is doing and will do in your life that it will glorify His name and bring peace to your soul.
Michael
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