Thoughts
on Michael Wells’ teachings in My Weakness for His Strength - # 133
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life Ministries
International
Littleton, Colorado
Notice: this email is part of a
BLOG, called Living Life With a Capital “C”. Why a blog? So that many can receive the weekly thoughts
I express on Michael’s writings in an easy manner.
Michael
points out one of the greatest benefits of being a Christian: WE have the LORD
to rely on. Therefore we do not have to
experience what others without Christ have no hope against.
DAY 48
Christians and Pain
Our present sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in us.
--Romans 8:18
The
question often arises, "Are Christians supposed to suffer, to experience
difficult times, and generally to find themselves unhappy?" Pain and suffering are realities
common to all of mankind. The believer and unbeliever alike suffer
outwardly from nature, the physical body, or from others, but a believer does not have to
experience destructive inward suffering such as that which plagues those
who do not know Christ. Christians
have suffered calamities common to everyone in the world but not necessarily
reacted in a like manner, whether with depression, anger, frustration, or
discouragement. Life
seems to deal its blows without partiality, and yet response is varied,
depending on the inner attitude of the sufferers. It has been said that
what becomes of us in the long run depends upon what life finds in us!
Suffering leaves some bitter and others sweet! In the mountains it is not
uncommon to see a half-dead aspen tree. The sun that shines on all of the
branches brings increased life to some and quickened decay to the others,
depending on what is inside the branch. Like the sun, suffering leaves some
persons withered and weak while others, because of the life within, are
stronger and more prepared for any amount of suffering.
I
remember discipling two women, each one suffering at the hand of an unfaithful
husband who sought to justify his behavior by picking his wife apart. One woman
became absolutely radiant through her suffering, for she found Christ to be her
ally and her all; the other became bitter and, to be honest, quite ugly as her
inward stress disfigured her. Two women undergoing the same event displayed
different reactions. One possessed an inner life that had met rejection and
overcome with love; the other had not drawn from the source of her inner life
and had been overcome by the rejection. As a believer, I cannot always determine what happens to
me, but I can direct how it will affect me. If I am driven to reliance on the Lord, then the
event will make me happy and more useful, bringing me to a fuller life. Events of life can either make
me common or spiritually alive. I need never deal with pain on a human
level; I bring God into
my pain, for He can take what appears to be senseless suffering and turn it
into a fountain of spiritual life. Suffering can have its roots in evil,
but the issue is not
really the basis from which it came but where it is permitted to take me.
Placing God in the
center of pain allows Him to guide me to deeper life. The cross is the perfect example of
God-guided pain, where great suffering became life, not only to Christ, but
also to millions.
Yellow – VIP, Very Important Point Green
– IT, Incredible Truth
Red – GP, Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR, Unfathomable Riches Pink
– PV, Priceless Victory
Michael draws our attention to that “inner life” (the Life of Christ)
that provides the wherewithal to be the “overcomer” that God tells me I am.
That word, “overcomer,” is a beautiful term, isn’t it?!?
Oh, that we would always remember: “As a believer, I cannot always
determine what happens to me, but I can direct how it will affect me.” Whew!!!
Wow!!! Would to God that He would
make that one of the first thoughts that crosses my mind every time I encounter
one of those moments/events that try to bring “destructive inward suffering.”
I would suggest we need to “soak” on the last 7 sentences of Michael’s
writing today, over and over and over.
The result: “spiritually alive!”
To access ALL past weekly
blogs, go to Living
Life With a Capital “C” by logging onto www.leemccm.blogspot.com
NOTICE: another blog on
Michael Wells’ book, Sidetracked In The Wilderness, called Getting Out of the
Wilderness. You can access by logging onto
www.leemcchristianministries.blogspot.com
Lee McDowell Christian Ministries
P. O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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