July 29, 2020: Trusting God in Our Times of Sorrow...It Comes Down to Our Perspective.

As I was reading today's "Our Daily Bread", I was reminded that we all face sorrow in our lifetime. Whether it's losing a loved one, sever sickness, financial ruin, and so much more. It all comes down to our perspective in how we will go through the circumstances. The Apostle Paul writes about this very thing in 2 Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:7-9

7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.

Think about the apostle Paul in his letter to Timothy, sitting in prison waiting to be executed. He knew eventually he would be home with the Lord in heaven, and he realized that nothing was going to stop him from sharing the good news of Christ, whether in sickness or potential death. His focus was always on Jesus on what Jesus called him to do.

God's grace is sufficient for every one of us, no matter the circumstances. But it all comes down to allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to control our lives, not ourselves.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

PERSONAL COMMENT:

If we fully understand the meaning of Galatians 2:20, it is saying that we are no longer live in ourselves, spiritually, we have been crucified with Christ on the cross, but it is God's spirit living through us. But the only way to allow the full power of the Holy Spirit to live through us...What must we be doing? Yeah, you guess it...we must be surrendering moment-by-moment ourselves to God and the Holy Spirit to fulfill His purpose and glory for our lives. Let us always keep our eyes on Jesus and keep God's perspective alive in us.