Conquering Faith
“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.“
Psalm 55:22 NLT
Some have unsound beliefs about the ways God might help us. We may think that whenever we have some trouble or sorrow, all we need to do is to ask Him to take it away, whatever it is. He may do so, or He may not.
Paul prayed three times, asking God to remove the thorn in his flesh, but his answer was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
Suffering is to be expected for the followers of Jesus, but we’re to “take heart” because He has “overcome the world“.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
There are many blessings which can be found in sorrow.
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.“ ( Revelation 3:18 ESV)
“A providence is shaping our ends; a plan is developing in our lives; a supremely wise and loving Being is making all things work together for good. In the sequel of our life’s story, we shall see that there was a meaning and necessity in all the previous incidents, except those that were the result of our own folly and sin, and that even these have been made to contribute to the final result. Trust Him, child of God: He is leading you by a right way to the celestial city of habitation; and as from the terrace of eternity you review the path by which you came from the morning-land of childhood, you will confess that He has done all things well.” F.B. Meyer
We can’t expect our loving Father to answer every prayer to rid us of pain or trouble without regard for our spiritual growth.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT)
“There is a kind of sympathy that weakens, and kind of sympathy that braces. Which of the two we have to offer depends on how much we know of the Spirit of our Lord. I have ceased to ask for easy ways for those I love most dearly. I ask instead for a conquering faith, for strength and the blessing of peace.“ Amy Carmichael