Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Viewing Circumstances with the Mind of Christ

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 labors 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.
2Co 11:21-27

Here, the apostle gives us a list of unchosen circumstances that were undoubtedly hard to deal with. But, thinking over these things, Paul looks back and tells us that he does not regret these trials, he, instead, "glories in them." The only way that we can look past the unwanted situations to reveal the glory that lies therein, is by taking on the mind of Christ and looking to Him. May we see God in our hard times:

In labors, God gives us rest
In stripes, God binds up our wounds
In prison, God gives us liberty in Christ
In beatings, God comforts us
In stoning, God gives us refuge
In shipwreck, God sustains us
In perils of water, God calms our storms
In journeys often, God is our harbor
In perils, God supplies our needs
In weariness, God strengthens us
In painfulness, God soothes us
In hunger and thirst, God satisfies us

Look past the problems, and see the author and finisher of your Faith. He desire to reveal Himself in these things, may our eyes be opened to that revelation.

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