Second Corinthians chapter one, verse nine is the passage I've chosen for my journey through prostate cancer. Although Paul was speaking specifically about the persecution he and other Christians endured for the Gospel, the emphasis is on the purpose. Persecution or trials of any form solely exist to make us rely on GOD alone, and not ourselves. They happen in order for us to exhaust ourselves of any self effort in order to realize that our total dependence should be on the One Who created, sustains, and has sovereign authority over everything, including our individual lives. One of the Lord's greatest pleasures is when we surrender all to Him so that He receives all the glory He deserves from us, especially those of us who claim Him as Lord. We must avoid using religious cliches and "christianese" to flatter God and make us appear spiritual to man. Yes, it is true – God is good all the time... But, is He good only when things are going good for me??? God is good because it is Who He is, whether our world is good or not. One of the hardest truths to swallow is the fact that prosperity and adversity come from the same Source.

To be clearer, God will sometimes break us in order to use us. A vessel broken by the hands of the Potter will often provide better service to Him because of a clearer understanding and greater reverence for the Maker. Broken or not, we must fully confess and admit to ourselves the words of the Lord Jesus: "...apart from Me you can do nothing."

Visit the blog archive and read from earliest to latest to get the details in chronological order.


1.11.2008

Part Fourteen: The Right Perspective, pt. 2

In a previous post (Part Five) I talked about having the "right perspective" when trials and tests come to basically invade our comfort zones. I addressed the question "Why Me?" and how the better, more divine focus should make us ask "Why NOT Me?"


To really hone in on the exact purpose for trials, tests, and even temptations, it's good to look at Paul's assessment as he and other followers of CHRIST were persecuted and made to suffer for what they believed in even though they did nothing wrong. We think our trials are bad - try constantly being sentenced to death and always being sought after to be executed for what you believe to be the truth! With all that in mind, Paul told the disciples in Corinth, Greece in his second letter to them that "... we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself."(1:8) But then, he hits the nail on the head and explains the reason for going through it all: "Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on GOD Who raises the dead!"(v.9) That's the right perspective!!! In fact, that's reality - whether I perceive it or not!


So, for the follower of CHRIST - is your trial or test an attack from the enemy or negative circumstances, or are you being "pruned" to bear fruit or rather "broken to serve" in order to rely totally on the One Who saved you in order to use you? For we are His workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. - Ephesians 2:10


For the non-Christian - is your trial or negative experience a result of bad luck or bad karma, or is this the time and opportunity given to you to realize that life is not about you? There is someone who is absolute and far greater than your experiences who can not only solve your problems, but is Himself the solution to everything! His peace is that which passes understanding - incomprehensible by human knowledge because it is a peace that lives in the hearts of men even when circumstances haven't changed. I know what you're asking: "Why does God have to afflict me or anyone else to get my attention to surrender to His will? Why can't he just tell me?" Maybe He has. How many times have you heard the Gospel?


JESUS is LORD, and I am not!!! He is the Shepherd - I am but a sheep, lost without His authority, wisdom, guidance, truth, and peace! Robotic prostatectomy didn't save me. Early detection didn't spare me. It is the Sovereignty and Providence of The Almighty Lord JESUS Who strategically orchestrated it all so that I would have the perfect wife to encourage me to be medically responsible and get myself checked and then to get checked when I did before it got any worse!!! That's divine providence! That's grace and mercy!!! There is no luck! For from Him and through HIM and to HIM are all things. To HIM be glory forever. Amen! - Romans 11:36
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