Things beyond you
By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Even after we have done all we possibly can through trusting God, seeking support from others and doing self search on possible causes of stress, there are things that will linger on and we cant do anything more about them. God allowed a thorn in Paul’s life for which he pleaded with God three times to take it away. Instead of remove it, God gave him sufficient grace to go through it. Whatever the thorn was, it was very uncomfortable and stressful to him.
There are things in life that God will allow into our way, not because He failed to take them away, nor that He enjoys our suffering, but to serve His purposes in our lives. Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering be taken away, but God didn’t because it was meant to serve His will. These things are beyond our wisdom, control and scope. Unpleasant as they are, they serve a greater divine purpose. It manifests differently for different people.
What are we to do in such situations? Surrender to the One Who knows why, trusting that He means well as Paul and Jesus did. Even if we don’t understand, we rejoice in God our Redeemer. We know He didn’t fail, but he has something better out of the situation. He gives grace to carry us through without crushing until the purpose is fully served. Hang in there. Have a positive attitude. Do not allow what is beyond your control to affect what you can control. Thank God, persevere and look forward to a better outcome. Remain in His will. It will be well with you.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Shalom children of God.