It is virtually impossible to find an individual who has a plain sailing journey from the cradle to the grave. You might hear distorted claims of the above said at a specific eulogy, but did it genuinely fit the narrative? Probably the less savory elements in a lifespan have been deleted!
Trials, testings and tribulations have smitten all of humanity; no one has truly ever been immune – the outcome of our innate Fallen Nature has made this inevitable. Trajectories in a life journey have been altered; oftentimes, we hear of a personal tragedy having severe repercussions, not just on the recipients but also on those they cross paths with. Conversely speaking, coming out of an unwarranted challenge can be a watershed event for quite a substantial group of people. A turnaround in a positive sense of the word can be a springboard to an uptrend in some life journeys – more so an inspiration to many onlookers who could get more than a shot in the arm from such realities. Or is it just a half-truth?
The Living Word has no space for any half-truths as far as trials, testings and tribulations are concerned. The genuine, unadulterated truth on this topic is spelled out in John 16:33. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have Tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Herein sits an interesting question. There are those who battle on with the struggles of living on this increasingly difficult planet – they may have had their victories, but are they genuinely happy folks?
It is dead easy to put up a convincing show for the media spotlight, but these can be a misleading and thin veneer that hides the real deal. But for those who dwell in the Living Word, the good cheer is like that which comes naturally. More than that! The Holy Spirit enables the believer in Christ to have hope regardless of the situation, and this is the spiritual empowerment that overcomes earthly obstacles. This unique arrangement is only available to believers who walk the talk – only those who put everything in the infallibility of the Word of God!
All of us going through these darkening days need to be of good cheer; we have the infinite Prince of Peace on our side. We can smile at numerous stormy episodes because we know that He will not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). There could even be extraordinary testings that almost put us to the end of the tether. Take heart! Do not let your mind run wild about what happens should you cave in. Focus on the Lord, on what He can do that is beyond our comprehension. He knows our limitations and our innate fallacies.
“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” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
All of us are part and parcel of the Bride of Christ. Will the loving Heavenly Father allow the pure and chaste eternal partner of His Son to be badly bruised by the evil that is widespread across the globe? Definitely not! He will sustain us and enable us through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. He has done His part, but we have to do our bit. We have to call on Him and not fall back on our weakness in any dire situation. Surely, He will deliver us and not leave us to fend for ourselves!
Maranatha
Edwin
Contact me at edwinuk13@gmail.com