Trusting Jesus Christ In Our Sufferings!
I have 2 very simple questions:
Have you come to the point in your life where Jesus Christ can withdraw ALL of His blessings from you without your trust in Him being affected?
Ponder this—Why do you trust Jesus? For what you can get or because of who He is and what He's done on the cross?
We must trust that Jesus Christ is completely in charge (sovereign) over every circumstance in our lives. Jesus is either sovereign over all circumstances or not sovereign over any circumstance! Charles Spurgeon said, “Child of God, never forget this; all that you are suffering of any sort or kind, comes to you from the Divine Hand.” (either directly by his hand or allowed by his hand)
As my body continued to weaken due to Muscular Dystrophy, I began to see the worthlessness of trusting in my own resources. Why trust in something that continued to wither away? I became quiet, ashamed and didn't want to share my suffering with anyone. I didn't want to be a burden, so I turned inward and locked others out of my life—including Jesus Christ!
On the day I received my wheelchair, I trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Joni Eareckson Tada, the wonderful Christian author of over 20 books, despite being confined to a wheelchair, helped me understand how being disabled could be used to to glorify Christ!
Joni said: “The fact that disabled people hang in there does something for Christians. It's not about being an inspiration for others, it more than that.... it's a mystery. God somehow strengthens others by their faithfulness. The disabled may feel like a burden to others, but God thinks the opposite. He thinks it's necessary for others to take care of the disabled... the disabled do more for one's spiritual well being than can be imagined. What's more is that it's all being credited to the disabled person's account, per Philippians 1:23-26. If the disabled person is alone and does not meet others, they must endure for the purpose of teaching the unseen powers, the rulers, and authorities in the heavenly realms about the powerful and all sustaining Lord (Ephesians 3:10).”
Of all the paths God could have chosen to provide eternal fellowship with Him, He chose the path of suffering and the cross for His Son Jesus Christ. God, in His magnificent sovereignty, has chosen to save the world through suffering.
He chooses a similar path for us:
I Peter 2:21—To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.
Philippians 1:29—For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but to suffer for Him.
John 15:20—No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
When I have difficulty understanding my suffering in light of the cross of Christ, the following has helped: “In times of suffering say,
First: He brought me here; it is by His will I am in this strait place: In that I will rest.
Next: He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then: He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.
Last: In His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows.
Say: I am here (1) by God's appointment (2) in His keeping (3) under His training (4) for His time.” —Andrew Murray
