We must keep our eyes on Christ as our faith is tested. The coronavirus and the opinions of people can easily cause us to lose sight of Christ. The world is experiencing drastic changes and life as we know it is changing quickly day by day. Companies are being shut down and normal life activities have come to a halt. My how quickly life changes.
It would seem the pause button has been pushed and is effecting everyone. This is causing fear, insecurity, and uncertainty world wide. Now is the time to keep our eyes on Christ!
Why is this happening?
The scriptures give the true answer among the many different opinions.
1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
As Believers How Do We Handle Insurmountable Suffering?
First and foremost, we give thanks to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for His mercy and comfort. We know true mercy and comfort come from Him. in these verses Paul, through the Holy Spirit, helps us understand the purpose of our suffering.
Encouragement and comfort has great depth when it comes from someone who has suffered. The deeper the suffering the stronger the faith in the God of mercy and comfort. We read about the sufferings of our Savior and know they were beyond our human comprehension. Therefore, God’s mercy, grace, love, and comfort are beyond our understanding (Ephesians 3:19).
Will We Be Able To Give a Reason For Our Hope In These Times?
Paul and those with him were in great danger of death. We see that today. The threat of death is everywhere. Paul says we are now not only able to comfort, strengthen, and encourage others but we now put all our hope in God instead of ourselves.
Believers help those who are weaker. Pray for the unsaved and for all your brother and sisters in Christ. But most importantly, praise God for all He is. And come out of this like Job, knowing God more intimately.
Job 1:42 KJV Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Thank you for sharing. What is happening is different and it is world wide. Keep my eyes on Christ. Psalm 91:7