“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Whether it’s on the radio, television, Internet, or at church, we often hear that God has a wonderful plan for our life.
But as Ray Comfort rightly notes, “The preacher promises a bed of roses for those who come to Christ, but those who are in Christ are evidently sitting on a painful bed of thorns.”
This may explain why a very high percent of those raised in Christian homes leave the faith, and why many others show no evidence of faith.
There are a large number of false conversions because many base their decision to follow Christ on having a wonderful life. We have turned salvation into an easy path rather than a narrow road. We’ve made Jesus a butler rather than a King. We want the cross light, the road easy, and the burdens lifted.
Many promise a problem free faith, yet we deal with a plethora of problems on a weekly basis. Sadly, unrealistic expectations about God can lead to depression and despair.
How do we reconcile this idea of a wonderful life with the Christian couple killed by a Pakistani mob? What do you tell the Christian family who loses both children within a decade? Or the parents who receive news that their three year old has Leukemia? What about the Disciples … eleven of the twelve were martyred.
Here is the key: our relationship with God does not hinge on unanswered prayers, trials, difficulties, and persecution; it hinges on who He is. He is our foundation in the midst of the storm. He is our peace in the midst of fear. He is our comfort in the midst of anxiety.
The gospel is a message of hope and redemption. It offers God’s grace through our trials, as well as peace that surpasses all understanding. We never find inner peace until we have peace with God.
For the Christian, it’s not the absence of the storm, but a deep inner peace amidst the storm in light of an eternal plan that keeps us secure. We are greatly remiss if we fail to teach this balance.
Trying times are not intended to break us down, but to build us up. The only way to build such qualities as love, joy, peace, humility, and patience is to be confronted with situations that require love, joy, peace, humility, and patience. How do we develop patience if we’re not tested? How do we develop forgiveness if we are never wronged? How do we develop humility if we’re never humbled? Even Christ “learned obedience from what He suffered” (cf. Hebrews 5:8).
Please don’t misunderstand, God blesses His people — we should pray for, enjoy, and encourage His blessings.
But a wonderful, comfortable life is not always a blessing; the presence and power of God in our lives is: “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
Strength in the midst of the storm is a true blessing.
Paul’s motto was, “I’ve learned to be content in all things.”
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SOURCE: The Christian Post
Shane Idleman
BCNN1 WP 