Blog Post 7

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Ephesians 3:20

At times, dealing with the challenges Pam and I face each day can seem overwhelming.  One of my personal shortcomings is to discount what the Lord is doing through our situation.  He continues to remind me of His ability to overcome what each day may bring, and that He can accomplish so much more in me than I could ask or think as Paul reminds us in his letter to the church at Ephesus.

For the believer overcoming is in our DNA; it is a part of being created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26, 27).  Think of what our Lord Jesus overcame in His short ministry here on earth, always focused on His way to Calvary.  While He told us that in this life we would face trials and tribulations, as we abide in Him and He in us we have the power to overcome those trials and tribulations.

The dictionary defines a crisis as a time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger.  We can thank the Lord that we have Christ as we deal with the crises of life.  I think of His protection and blessings from times past and He reminds me that not a single thing has touched me without His knowledge and approval.

He is faithful to His promise that He will never forsake me or fail me.  No doubt Pam and I are in crises mode.  But it’s in these crises that we more clearly see the Lord.  He has come with peace, with power, with protection and evermore with a deepening sense of His presence.  He has not left us alone because our lives are hidden with Christ in God the Father.

On a recent day, I read the following devotion and take great comfort in the reminder that even in the midst of our crises it is Christ in us who gives us the power to overcome because His grace is sufficient and His power works best in our weakness:

How Weakness Becomes Strength

I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.                                           2 Corinthians 12:6b-10

Think of a situation you wish you could change, and then imagine what the apostle Paul must have been going through in 2 Corinthians 12.

Paul was suffering, and so he repeatedly begged God to remove his pain. But God doesn’t change Paul’s situation. Instead, God tells Paul that His “grace is enough” for him.

Charis, the ancient Greek word for “grace,” conveyed the favor God showed humanity when He sent Jesus to earth for us.

Before Jesus, people couldn’t draw near to God on their own. But Jesus made a way for anyone to experience intimacy with God. A relationship with God isn’t something we earn—it’s a free gift we receive when we accept that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead. 

So when God tells Paul that His “grace is sufficient,” what He’s essentially saying is: “I am enough for you.” 

God could meet Paul’s needs because God was all Paul needed—and God was with Paul. The influence Paul had was only because God chose to show off His power through him

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  2 CORINTHIANS 4:6-7 NIV

We are all like “jars of clay”—simple and not that impressive. But when we submit our lives to God, we become containers that showcase His power.

Like Paul, we can then boast about how weak we are so that way God gets the credit for every great thing that happens to us. 

Our situations might not change, but our cry often changes from, “God please remove this suffering,” to, “God, when I suffer—show me how You are using this for Your glory and my good.”

So, whatever you’re facing, know that God is near. He sees you, and He loves you. Take some time today and ask God to show you how He is empowering you. Draw near to Him, and let Him strengthen you.

A closing thought:

Whatever the day may bring, Jesus Christ can overcome.