Romans 8:18-30 says:
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons,the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
I've had a fair bit of difficulty in my life, as I'm sure everyone has at some point. There are things that I gone through in my past, stuff that I'm walking through right now, and events that I know will take place in my future that are going to be incredibly difficult, emotionally draining, and just an all around unpleasant experience. I have no clue what God is doing sometimes. I just don't get it. I get frustrated. I wonder when this rollercoaster ride is going to end. I stand speachless sometimes before him, not knowing how to put my prayers in words.
But I thank God for his Spirit that intercedes for me when I can't put my feelings and emotions into words. Even though I'm left standing confused, angry, hurt... I rejoice and give praise because I know that no matter what I go through, no matter how much my life feels like this whirlwind, no matter how much I want to throw in the towel and say "Enough is enough God," I know that he is working this all together for the good. The good of me becoming more and more like Christ, and less and less of the world's. It sucks going through some of this stuff, seriously it does, but I thank God that I can stand on those scriptures and feel a sense of relief because I know that his sovereign hand is in control and in turn, I'll bear better fruit for his kingdom.
Great post Chris.
ReplyDeleteI like this in particular: " The good of me becoming more and more like Christ, and less and less of the world's. It sucks going through some of this stuff, seriously it does, but I thank God that I can stand on those scriptures and feel a sense of relief because I know that his sovereign hand is in control and in turn, I'll bear better fruit for his kingdom."