Internet remains dead. I don’t know how to wait. I can’t blog in my Hochschule – the students are too loud for me to concentrate on my thoughts and generate correct words. Result? See the last two posts. Not well-done written. At home, I can’t write online-ly. Sigh.
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Day 25: Transformed by trouble
We all face problems daily. And God has His own purpose behind them. Indeed God changes us through Bible-reading, but He is more interested to change us through circumstances.
Jesus himself even warned us that we all will face problems every day.
“… In this world you will have trouble. But that heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:3
Nobody is excluded from sufferings and no one will have a problem-free life. When you solve one, another comes. Some are big and heavy, some are small and light; but all of these are significant in God’s eyes. But Peter comforted in Bible us:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
1. Peter 4:12
God, in fact, uses problems to draw you closer to Himself. It is all when we turn to God alone.
When life is rosy, we may slide by knowing about Jesus, with imitating Him and quoting Him and speaking of Him. But only in suffering will we know Him.
Joni Eareckson
In Bible we saw lots of people suffered, even though they were very faithful. God could have just given His hand a swing and everything would be settled. But He did not. He let them happened instead, and all of them were drawn closer to Him.
You will never know that God is all you need until God is all you have got.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
But be reminded that all of your problems are approved by God. In other words, He let them to happen. He intends to use it for good even when Satan and others mean it for bad. It reminds me that in Kung-Fu Panda the Master Wu Gui said: “there is no accident.” And same goes as God. He never make mistakes, nor clumsy.
We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His son.
Romans 8:28-29 New Living Translation
Understanding Romans 8:28-29
Read carefully the verses. It does not say that God will make everything the way you want them to be. Neither has it said God causes all things to have happy ending on earth. Remember always, we are in earthly world. Everything is perfect only in heaven. And Rick Warren suggested breaking the verses into parts:
“We know” – Our hope in difficult times are based on the truths that God is in complete control of our universe and that He loves us.
“that God causes” – We are not random creations. God never make mistakes. He pulls the string of everything you can think of in this earth.
“everything” – God plans everything. Yes, your mistakes, your temptations… everything, He planned them all.
“to work together” – All events in your life work together in God’s plan. God blends your everything-bad experiences together.
“for the good” – Everything bad and good in this world, God will bring the good out of them. His purpose is greater than our problems, pain, and even sins.
“for those who love God and are called” – God’s promise for His children.
“according to His purpose” – The purpose, that is, “become like His son.
Building Christlike character
God will use whatever it takes to shape us. Every problem is a character-building opportunity – the more difficult a problem is, the greater potential for building spiritual muscle and moral fiber.
Your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.
Rick Warren – The Purpose Driven Life
When we have been refined by trails, others see Jesus’ reflection in us. And the refining process includes experiences that Jesus went through.
Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.
Romans 8:17
Responding to problems as Jesus would
Remember that God’s plan is good. He knows the best for us. My favorite quote:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Therefore, stay focus on His plan.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18
Rejoice and give thanks.
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1. Thessalonians 5:18
Read the verse carefully. We are not asked to give thanks for all circumstances, but in all circumstances. Give thanks in these bad times, for it is His will to use the problems to fulfill His purpose in you. We know also that God is going through the pain with us. We will never got stranded or left alone by God.
Refuse to give up. Be patient and persistent always. Remind yourself always that character building is a slow process and it takes time. Therefore, don’t ask “why me?” but instead, “God, what do You want me to learn?”
Time to grow up, no?
Vincent
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