2 Corinthians 1.8–10
8 For we do not want you to be
unaware, brothers,
of the affliction we experienced in Asia.
For we were so utterly burdened
beyond our strength
that we despaired of life itself.
9 Indeed, we felt that we had received
the sentence of death.
But that was to make us rely
not on ourselves
but on God who raises the dead.
10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril,
and he will deliver us.
On him we have set our hope
that he will deliver us again.
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I am promised to go through trials, and it shouldn’t surprise me (1 Peter 4.12), even if I live a life with the utmost integrity and in a way that honors God in all I do, I will still go through trials, sufferings, and hardships. Besides, Jesus was the only one to actually live with perfect integrity and honor, and He lived a life filled with trials, even to the point of unjust death (Philippians 2.8). His Word reminds me that He was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53.3).
I can often think wrongly about trials; that they are always punishments for sin, or they are always the work of the enemy, or I deserve better or different. But again, I think of Jesus, and I can know that this was not the case with Him, yet He still suffered. In fact, it was through suffering that He even “learned obedience” (Hebrews 5.8).
How (and what) do we learn through suffering? Trials are like tutors. A good tutor doesn’t do my homework for me, but a good tutor guides me and points me in the right direction. The best tutors also don’t just guide me toward the right answer, but they help me even understand the process in order to prepare me further for my next problem. In this way, trials are tutors, assigned to me by God Himself, who sends them into my life to help me not only attain a certain goal, but to understand and see His ways and His character more clearly.
Often when in trials, I would pray just for God to “get me through it.” This isn’t a terrible prayer, but I have learned in addition (and firstly) to pray, “but in the meantime, Lord, help me to find You in my suffering.” I want to learn obedience in a deeper way as I am taught to trust God’s promises during the darkest times.
It is good when God
brings us through suffering,
but it is even better when we
find Him in our suffering.
Though I can never know the full reason(s) for my specific sufferings, the Gospel reminds me that I can know that they are all designed to bring glory to the Lord in and through my life, as well as to build me up as a disciple whose sole hope, strength, satisfaction, and sureness comes from Christ alone.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
2 Corinthians 1.8–10
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Psalm 77
Jobey McGinty
Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Dark days and cloudy sight,
Eyes wide during sleepless nights
No comfort to hold onto,
My weary hands reach out to You
I know I’ll find You through my pain
I know I’ll never be the same…
Oh Lord, my soul it faints
Wind and waves breaking me apart,
Bitter tears flood into my heart
Tossed about in the stormy rain,
I set my eyes on Jesus’ Name
I know You’ll hold me by the hand
I know Your footprints aren’t in the sand
As You lead me through the sea
We cry aloud to You, oh Lord
To turn Your eyes to our troubled souls
Our hearts are broken, our strength is gone
But in our weakness You will make us strong
I know I’ll find You in my pain
I know You’ll hold me by the hand
I know You lead me through the sea
Oh Lord, my soul it waits
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Pray Aloud:
Father, I want to see Your Name
lifted above all other names
in ________ life.
I am asking that Your Spirit
would be at work,
that Your Kingdom would come
and Your will be done
in ________ heart and life as it is in heaven.
Would You please give __________
truth that grabs them,
encourages them, and guides them
to trusting in You.
Help me to forgive those that
have sinned against me,
and remind me that You have forgiven me
for all of my own sin against others.
Lead ___________ out of temptation
and towards truth.
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