I hope and pray any readers are doing well and seeking to obey the Lord through the gospel.
I shared the other day a scripture that said how we can have power, love and a sound mind without fear in persecutions and trials. Well I read this chapter on what our brother apostle Paul wrote about what he had been through for Christ and it really does put anything I have to go through as small in comparison. He just lists them all quickly like this but if you think about each one there is a great deal of suffering involved. I know I could do well to remember that the next time I think something is hard.
"I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.
(2 Corinthians 11:21-31)
And think of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ and what He suffered unjustly so He could bring us to God.
Yes as women our flesh can be a real struggle to fight against for sure. I know. No one wants to suffer in the flesh. For the most part we are not being physically attacked for our faith in Christ...yet. It will be in words and thoughts, in forsaking all to follow Him.
Often we can make up more excuses in the flesh about what people will think and often these are not true but only built on fear. This verse is what it really is I think.
"Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it."
(Luke 17:33)
Trying to save our own life, our "reputation", our favour among others, our unity with others basically trying to save face instead of losing all for Christ.
Like God tells women to cover their heads...but we don't want people to see us and think we are weird and so we fear the "persecution" and disobey God. I've been there but repented. I know it is a sad and sinful thing to do to trade a little favour of men for eternal life to our own destruction.
I know trials in this Christian life are real as the things I have had to stand against in my own life were and are hard at the time but I tell myself that they really are easy because we do not have to face violent physical abuse and torture for our faith as many who have gone before us have who are none other than Jesus and Paul and many others.
And if we look ahead at all what "could" happen it causes weakness. Sometimes there is too much to think about and it can be confusing trying to think about this all. And then thoughts of "it can't be true all these people around me going to hell". I recognize these things as deception from the wicked one and remember God's Word instead that says few will make it and many are on the broad road to destruction. It's more than our mind can grasp and so we just press on and focus on our life and how we can reach out to those in it. Like as Paul also says if he has preached to others and yet he himself is cast away.
It helps to think how great God is and that He so loved that He gave His beloved Son. I know He is worthy of everything we could endure in this life, sisters.
I was blessed to see this beautiful sunrise out my room window this morning. I had just seen an awesome sunset the night before then I saw this too. How great is our God.
It reminds me that His mercies are new every morning and we can start the new day afresh for God's glory.
Well I hope you got something out of my ramblings. I admit at times I just want to delete my posts and start again. But then I wouldn't be able to encourage you as much if I was focusing on "perfection" all of the time. I didn't stay on topic but it's just what I am thinking about in my own life and I want to encourage others to strive on. We know persecution in some forms will definitely come with following our Lord.
I am not saying that anyone doesn't have it hard. If we are truly seeking to obey all God has commanded then yes we will realise that we're going to be going against the ideas and lifestyles of those around us.
I am not trying to belittle anyone's trials in the slightest. And I know this scripture stands true.
"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
(Romans 12:14-15)
The true body of Christ will love fervently and seek to support the weak and to pray for those who are being persecuted...and bless those creating the persecutions too; that's a wonderful and high thing the Lord has for us to do...so contrary to the flesh but pure, and ultimately He will judge in the end. We can leave it to Him, sisters:-)
And we can overcome all things in Him, our Saviour!
Well you all have a blessed day...until Lord willing, I can write to you again tomorrow. Look to the Lord for strength and trust in Him to work all things our for good for those that love Him.
See the biblical gospel to eternal life here.