Today's encouragement comes from 2 Corinthians 7:4c & 5c, where we read these words:
" . . . I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. . . . Outside were conflicts, inside were fears."It is always helpful for us to read of the Apostle Paul's experiences. We can see (above) that even he, the stalwart of faith and strength, was "fearful" at times. But even more than this, he could find a way (in Christ) to be "joyful" in "tribulation.”
All of us who love Jesus are capable of enduring a whole lot more trouble than we could ever imagine that we could. There is valor within us that will never come to the fore unless it is first put through the fire (of afflictions). Still, none of us look forward to these conflicts. The only thing we like is the Christ-like character that develops in us (which brings us much peace, stability, and happiness).
[Puritan quote of the day: "People become distracted from coming to God by their own self-imposed spiritual disciplines.” —John Owen, in, "Sin and Temp-tation"]
