You read Matthew 19:26, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
But the impossible does not happen.
You read how we can do all things through Christ, how thousands were healed, and yet for you the pain continues.
You read how we are to follow, to obey, to remain faithful, and yet life seems to be falling apart.
Continuance in obedience no matter the circumstances or the possible consequences to yourself, no matter the level of physical pain, of mental anguish, no matter what arrives in your life, is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
For some whom the Almighty has chosen to draw a little closer to Himself, they must every day, sometimes many times a day, be as the prodigal son and come to themselves. The mind must reject the pain and frustration, it must remember that His promises are true, it must be able to say in all assurance, “This too shall pass.”
For me personally, Psalm 16:11 comes to mind frequently. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Along with 1st Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
But if you are one of those who can understand this letter written through pain today, then I ask that you recall this verse as well, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” (1st Cor. 10:11)
If you desire to be one who is not what I politely call the “common Christian,” you must prepare yourself to be used as an example for others, both towards the saved, lost and the wicked. And if perchance you are on that path today, you know full well that you are not going around with a fake smile on your face telling everyone how wonderful it is to serve the Living God, that everything in your life is puppies and rainbows. You are informing them that if they desire to serve the Living God, your life must be lived for His glory, that pain will arrive, frustrations, trials and tribulations, and that they must be willing to continue to follow the Lord Jesus Christ no matter the cost to themselves.
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1st Peter 2:21)
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” (2nd Tim. 2:12)
When they see us suffering and continue to follow Him, when they see your world falling apart around you and you continue to praise His name, when they know there is no hope and yet they see hope in you, then you have become an example, and “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1st Peter 2:12)
If you desire to be drawn closer to Him, you must desire to be in the fellowship of His suffering, and that suffering will include pain that you will not be able to bear.
But He will bear it with you.
In the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with you, He will be the one on the other side of that yoke, it is under His wings that He will hide you, He will never leave you or forsake you.
If you are there now, you understand, if you are not, and desire to be so, count the cost, this is not a matter to be taken lightly. The Living God is a consuming fire, and He will consume your every thought, the battle with the flesh and the world will grow fiercer, and if He asks you to walk into the fire, you may not come out alive.
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)
That is your example.
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
That is your example.
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
That is your example.
If you are on this part of the path, you know the pain, if you are contemplating these truths, count the cost first.
