Sometimes life is really tough! I guess we all know that, but it sure doesn’t seem to stop the tough times from sneaking up on us again and again now does it! Looking back though, there’s not a tough time in my life where I can’t honestly say I didn’t learn something invaluable. Even more important, there’ve been several tough times where I could later look back and clearly see the hand of God involved in the situation every step of the way. Most of the faith I have today comes directly from times where God has literally “saved my bacon!” I’ve heard it said that nothing ever occurs to God! Do we really think God is caught sleeping when we wind up in trouble? What tough thing could He not help us learn from? Even Paul, the great Apostle, looked back on whippings, stinking prison stays, and even being locked in chains as positives when He saw how they ultimately were used to advance the good news of what Christ has done for us.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Philippians 1:12-14
In Christ,
PastorJimKilby @Kilbin8er Jim@JamesKilby.com