You Are Much More Than This!

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.

In the Beginning

When God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Graden  of Eden everything was perfect for them. The environment and the whole of creation were in total harmony with them. Things later turned bitter.  We all know how things changed for them when they decided to turn their backs on God and did things their own way.  We know how this brought tragedy into the scene making pain and suffering part of humanity.

 A new Nation of God

As Christians, one of the most important things we need to learn in our walk of faith is how to handle trials, persecution and suffering in general. Even though, as believers in Jesus Christ  we know we have been redeemed from the power of sin and it’s consequences. We have been translated into the kingdom of God by virtue of our New Birth in Christ. And so, sin and all its implications do not have power over us because we are separated unto God.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9).

On the Earth but not of the Earth

Effectively we have been redeemed Spiritually. But physically and emotionally we are not yet restored. Also, the earth and the rest of creation are yet to be redeemed.  We are presently leaving in an imperfect world. This is why we need to have a Biblical understanding of how to handle trials and suffering because no one, not even believers in Jesus Christ are  exempted from suffering. (John 16:33).  Therefore, my primary purpose for writing this post is to inspire hope and get us to focus on the fact that God is still sovereign over all of His creations and life circumstances. And nothing, absolutely nothing, can stop His plans and purposes for His children.  This is why the Scriptures says:

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28).

This passage of the Bible is one of the most common passages used to identify with suffering and I’m also aware that it has often been used in the most insensitive manner by many Christians, in particular, when counselling those who dealing with adversity in life.  Please do bear with me for a moment in using this verse today. I do not in any way or even the least possible means sweep the emotional pain and discomfort we encounter in tragic moments of life under the carpet. It’s awful when we experience sudden death of our loved ones, when terminal sickness strikes a child of God, when divorce destroys a marriage and when other similar circumstances invade our life…. I do not dismiss the pain involved in human suffering as irrelevant, but what I’m trying to do is to help us to make sense of it as much as possible, so that we can be restored and learn from our sufferings. And the beautiful thing about this is that, we can ultimately use it as a platform for progressing in life, accomplishing God’s great plans and purposes for us!

So how do we go from here?

Perhaps you are reading this and you are in this place today. You are overwhelmed with grieve or pain because of some unfortunate incident that has happened in your life. I want to encourage you with the knowing that God is still sovereign over all of life circumstances, either good or bad. I want you to take consolation in the fact that God knows you by name and He is near and present in your hour of need. (Psalm 46 ) I want you to know that God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9). God is sovereign over every area of your life, your past, present and future. There is no detail about your life that is too insignificant for God to get involved in. God’s desire for you is to live a righteous, peaceful, joyfully and prosperous life! And so, God doesn’t want you to focus on your pain or challenges, He wants you to rather focus on Him and trust Him that He is well able to make everything work out for your good!

Let us pray: 

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for my friend reading this today, that you will embrace them in your love. Help them to get rid of discouragement, and embrace your perspective in their challenges. Heal and restore their life. Lead them into every good plan you have for them. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

Reflection: "Rejoice not against me, O my enemy! When I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me." (Micah 7:8)

God bless you!

Love,

Shade.