Hard Tests
2tim;4
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
What a testimony! I pray for this kind of testimony for myself.
2 Corinthians 11:22-33
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?
30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.
There are very few people who are called to the suffering that the Apostle Paul was. God never asks more of us than we can handle with His help.
Sometimes when we face tough times we think that we are the only one who has ever had to go through anything that hard; the devil will try to tell you that no one ever has gone through anything like it, but that’s another one of his lies.
1 Peter 5:9
Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-10 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter)
He promised this; (1Cor10:13) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
When you are facing tests don’t make the mistake of withdrawing and turning away from the word, the word is where you will find comfort in time of need. The promises we have for these times are the very thing that will help us overcome.
Other members of the body (church) will help you in times of trials, so stay close to the body, don’t pull yourself away when you really need them most. People who you know to be word people are the ones we need during these times, someone who will remind you of what the word says
