FRIDAY July 21, 2023

A Christian’s Tribulations

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Acts 14:21-22

Paul and Barnabas had experienced many tribulations as they preached the Gospel. Paul had been stoned by the Jews, but God had revived him. He had seen heaven and had received a thorn in the flesh from the Lord to keep him humble. The word thorn means “tent stake.” Some say he was crippled, others speculate he was very bowlegged. Whatever his weakness, Paul had this God-given infirmity for the rest of his life.

Paul was a man of faith and asked the Lord three times for healing, but the Lord allowed the infirmity to remain. The Lord told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). If you are sick or have a certain weakness in your life, and God, in His sovereignty, has not taken it away, then this is your verse! Underline it in your Bible.

God’s grace is the key to our Christianity. We do not praise God only when we are well, but even when we are sick. When we are strong, we have a tendency to depend on ourselves, not on the Lord. When we are weak, He works in our lives to an even greater capacity. We depend so much more on His strength.

How many times have you complained about your infirmity, when you need to rejoice by realizing God has allowed these things to happen in your life for a purpose? God knows that you will be able to relate to so many other people who are sick and suffering––those who need the hope of Jesus. When they see your joy and dependence on God as you endure times of sickness, you will become a strong witness of the Gospel.

Suffering is part of the human condition, and it comes to us all. The key is how we react to it, either turning away from God in anger and bitterness or growing closer to Him in trust and confidence.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!