Sometimes we expect to learn from people who seem strong, wise, or accomplished. But often we are encouraged most by someone else’s honesty, perseverance, or even struggles.
Have you ever learned something important about God through another person’s weakness rather than their strengths?
I dont think Christians need to be strong. I think its a misconception. People expect well dressed and educated preachers who have perfect mental health but the apostles dressed in rags and were uneducated. They were sometimes perplexed and despaired of life. I bet if the apostles were here today no one would follow them. They were disrespected in their own church let alone this modern church.
1 Corinthians 4:**8 **You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! **9 **For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle [e]to the world, both to angels and to men. **10 **We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! **11 **To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. **12 **And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; **13 **being defamed, we [f]entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
**14 **I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. **15 **For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. **16 **Therefore I urge you, imitate me. (NKJV)
One thing this site has taught me is how different God’s people are and how much suffering, anxiety, and trouble there is in their lives. Not everyone all at once, but enough to know that we all have our challenges from time to time. Only the fool keeps their challenge a secret.
So when I look at those words - strong, wise and accomplished - I have to think what do they mean in a Christian context. What the world means by it doesn’t concern me.
I know of and have read true stories of people with severe problems and still maintain their faith. At times they pursue it, cling to it and make a stand on it. At other times they struggle in understanding, struggle in their hope and wonder where God has gone. And through it all God has His grip on them, and their faith that once was a sure thing is now being tested by fire. I’ve seen them come through stronger, wiser and a faith accomplished in its surety. That encourages me.
I don’t know how I would be in their situation, but I know I will remember it if I’m ever in that situation. If they can trust in God when there’s no sign of Him anywhere, then so can I.
@Bestill in John chapter 6, Jesus asked if Peter and the disciples would leave him . Peter responded by saying “Where will we go? You have the words of life”
No matter the situation, Jesus is the only path and only answer.
Thank you Bruce. I do know that Jesus is the only answer. I hope I didn’t give the impression that I was unaware.
@Bestill no, not at all. I liked your post. I was just adding my two cents