I know many people who have experienced hard things. The majority of this past year has been full of transitions for everyone. Whether big or small, our lives have shifted, moved, and things have been shaken. Some of us have gained time, resources, and relationships and others have lost all of these in the same breath.
Over this past year, I have had my share of “hard things” too. Like you, I have experienced loss, uncertainty in transitions, and grief of expectations not being met. That is life though, isn’t it? No one can run from loss and transition. In all of these things, I am learning how to see with a different lens that I believe will strengthen, encourage, and aid you in your walk with Jesus. It is a lens that I have tucked in my arsenal for seasons like these. The continued season of becoming.
You know those seasons where it feels like the old saying: “when it rains, it pours”? I think the Bible has a verse that speaks the same language but with a different perspective. 2nd Corinthians 4:8-10 says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.”
Now, take a step back from this verse. Whatever you have heard about it before, lay it to the side and look at this verse with fresh eyes. When I look at this verse without any preconceived notion, it leads me to ask the question, “how?” How can you be afflicted in every way but not crushed? How in the world can you be perplexed and scratching your head, but not driven to despair? Persecuted and hated by others but knowing deep down you are not forsaken? Struck down but not destroyed? How??!
How does God‘s Spirit have access and freedom in an individual to endure the pain, testing, and trying of seasons that are unbearable?
Jesus says in one of His greatest testing moments in the desert, “Man does not live on bread alone but by every word of God” (Matthew 4). If you are a believer in Christ, you and I cannot be sustained or endure without the word of God. We must feast each day... nourish ourselves in His word... establish our hearts in the truths... become filled with the enduring Word of God. THIS is what creates the space for God’s Spirit to have access and freedom in our hearts. 1st Peter 1:24-25 says, “you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God... the word of the Lord remains forever.”
The perspective or lens that I have tucked in my arsenal during the seasons of testing is this: if the only thing that endures is the word of God, then I have to do everything in my power to get as much of it in me. If God’s word is in me and I am put in the fire of testing, it will be proven true because it is HIS word, not my own.
Think of it this way: when Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, His entire life was grounded, solidified, and established on His Father’s words. Jesus endured because He stood on those words. He quoted Scripture twice in one of His weakest moments—physically and emotionally. However, spiritually, He was sharp and alert. Those words were His life and His life remained.
What about you, loved one? Are you being afflicted, perplexed, or even persecuted? Are you experiencing trials of various kinds that are producing in you a steadfastness (James 1:1-4)? This is GOOD WORK. “Good“ has a whole new meaning in this context. It is good because these times will produce peace, joy, and righteousness If we YIELD to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Seasons like these are mixed with hope and disappointment... joy and grief... triumph and sorrow. To feel all of it means that you are human, not unholy. Jesus experienced all the above as well, but He endured because The Father’s words were in Him and lived His life through them.
I will leave these personal questions here for you to ponder on:
-Is what I am experiencing causing me to ask God, “why?” or am I yielding myself and asking Him to give me a desire to be transformed into His Son’s image?
-Have I reached out to my inner circle to have community in prayer, fasting, and seeking God?
-Have I opened my heart up for God’s examination of my motives, thoughts, and behavior?
-How can I eat and feast upon God’s words today?
Friends, we are in the hands of a good Father. Let’s begin to get as much of His words in our hearts for that is what endures. Through the highs and lows, it is His word that remains. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ“ (Phil 1:6).
Here in the struggle with you.
Confident in God’s work and power.
By Grace,
Cortney Rae
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