Kindness is not being polite, being content does not mean being happy, our faith is not to be hindered by the circumstances that surround us or the possible consequences to ourselves.
Trials and tribulations, sickness and suffering, in the dry and thirsty land or in the valley of the shadow of death, our faith in the promises of the Word of God, in Him who said He would never leave us or forsake us, who says to us, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20b) is never to falter.
“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (1st Tim. 4:7)
If you desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, if you want to be a part of the fellowship of His suffering, you must allow the Holy Spirit to exercise your faith. It must be tested, and you must be willing to accept those tests.
My friends, that means when the pain arrives, physical or mental, when the trials and tribulations are brought upon you, your first response is not to pray for them to be removed, but to be taught how to be content in them, until He decides to remove them.
This is a rare truth that is taught by few who stand behind the pulpits today, who lead the Bible studies, for health equals happiness. A flowing continuity of sameness without outside interference equals contentment, and being polite to all you meet will cause no strife.
To be conformed to the world is to be polite, happy and healthy, not kind enough to correct, reprove and rebuke. Not content in whatever state the Almighty has seen fit to place us in without complaining. Not faithful no matter what path He chooses for us to walk.
“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1st Tim. 4:8)
The exercising of our faith rarely, if ever, occurs in those days of sunshine and peace, but in the storms and turmoil’s of life, and they usually arrive without warning. We are to be prepared at all times to suffer for Him, and we accept with a willing heart suffering from the Lord. Not another truth spoken very often these days, suffering brought upon us by Him who will love us for all eternity.
I offer you another truth, those who willingly accept those trials will find the furnace a little less hot each time, their refining may indeed take less times in that fire, but another truth for you, each time they will accept it joyfully, for they know the Lord is offering them the opportunity to grow in their faith, in their complete and absolute trust in Him.
Perhaps Paul was blessed to learn these truths when the pain, whatever it was and in whatever form it arrived in his life, was answered with 2nd Cor. 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
And his reply?
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2nd Cor. 12:10)
Content, no matter what.
It isn’t happiness, it is joy unspeakable. It is not contemplating only that glory that will be revealed in us then, it is the knowledge, the truth, that we are hid in Christ today.
How much you honestly want to be used by the Almighty for His glory is how much you will pray to have your faith exercised, and I fear that far too many have no desire to step into the dry and thirsty land, much less into the fire.
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” (2nd Tim. 2:12)
Content in suffering, content every day no matter what, that is where the joy of the Lord is found.
These are only my personal thoughts, but I believe that those who are taught how to shed tears here, will have fewer tears to wipe away when they get home.
