WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BRING US TO A PLACE OF MATURITY
Although we might not like to admit it, problems play a role of bringing us to a place of maturity. Here we see a clear parallel between real life and the things we go through. A child comes to maturity as it faces life’s challenges and moves on. For the moment we may be facing difficulty, but God has a plan and His plan is that we become what He intended for us to become. I have discovered that the people who can help me the most, in the difficulties I am facing, are those who have had similar difficulties and moved through those difficulties to a place of maturity and victory. This is a place where the problem does not rule them but instead they have learnt what they needed to learn and God has taken them onto the next thing that He has for them!
James 1:2-4 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.
God wants us strong in character, full and complete – mature.
Your OBSTACLE could become your OPPORTUNITY!
Your STUMBLING BLOCK could become your STEPPING STONE!
Your TEST could become your TESTIMONY!
Your MISERY could become your MINISTRY!
Your FAILURE could become your FOUNDATION!
CONCLUSION: THE APOSTLE PAUL ALSO FACED CHALLENGES
Yes, even the great Apostle Paul faced challenges. He called it his ‘thorn in the flesh’. He asked God to remove this hindrance on three occasions, but it seems that this was not to happen. God said this to him:
2 Corinthians 12:9 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.
MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! The grace that we will receive if the challenge is not removed could be of greater value to the individual than the direct answer to his prayer would have been. It was just like this with Paul; and also with David; and so it is often the same with Christians now. The removal of the issue.
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