2 Corinthians 7:5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn–conflicts on the outside, fears within.

Sometimes we forget what the early believers went through, just as we fail to meditate on Jesus’ suffering on our behalf. We think of Paul as something of a “spiritual Superman,” when actually he went through an amazing litany of trials. Reading his letters, we can see that every one of the churches to whom he wrote had problems, even the one at Phillipi, with which he had a very close relationship. The thing is, if they had not had problems, Paul would never have written the letters that now form half of the New Testament! Paul’s personal difficulties likewise were the occasion of growth and revelation to him that have blessed countless believers in the 2000 years since. We have a strong tendency to focus in on the difficulties of the moment and lose sight of the reality that God hasn’t changed. Paul himself realized that, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit he wrote, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) And that was in this same letter, not that much before he wrote this verse! Paul didn’t ignore difficulties or pretend they didn’t exist. Some people today seem to have “faith in faith,” and only want to make a “positive confession.” That certainly doesn’t jive with Paul’s experience! It is far more honest and helpful to say, to ourselves first as well as to those around us, “I’m in a world of hurt, but God’s got the answer and I’ve got to trust Him for it.” That’s what God so famously said when Paul, who had been used in many healing miracles, didn’t get relief even after praying earnestly for healing three times. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) And that record is in this same letter! We need to choose God’s perspective, recognizing that the temporal is real for us right now, but God’s plans for us are eternal, and they are indeed to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is intensely personal, as it really is for every human being. I am as prone to focus on the moment as anyone else! In my particular situation, my wife’s physical issues can be rather consuming. She had a restless night, with her sleep continually interrupted by physical pain. That was and is complicated by her fear that she won’t be physically able to enjoy our plans for celebrating our 55th wedding anniversary on Friday. This verse describes her present situation to a remarkable degree! As her husband, I need God’s wisdom and guid­ance in how to support and encourage her. He’s told me personally to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I’m still growing in learning how to do that, but I need to help and encourage her in doing likewise. We had a magnificently blessed day on Sunday, with the celebration of the church’s 40^th anniversary, and it seems like the devil redoubles his attacks after such occasions. We both need the help of Holy Spirit to keep our eyes on Jesus, (Hebrews 12:2) so that we may be submitted to God and resist the devil. (James 4:7)

Father, thank You for this reminder, both in Scripture and in our circumstances. Help us both release everything into Your hands and receive the blessings You have for us, so that Your purposes may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!