The first thought would be that we are lifted above some trials, we overcome them with God. The second thought then becomes, we are sure to have struggle and conflict because we live for God. And Gods ways are not the worlds ways. God said He will be with us in our trials, not that we wouldn't have any.
He told us we would be persecuted. We have all been, and will be, attacked BECAUSE of our relationship with Christ. The amazing thing, though, is that through Him we can endure. He will ALWAYS rise above. Thankfully, He's willing to take us along with Him.
Sunday School answer: 2 Peter 2:9 tells us that "the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials." (Note, it doesn't say He will, it just says He knows how to).
But Jesus clearly said in the Sermon on the Mount to rejoice (huh?) when we are persecuted, rather than to try to get out of our circumstances...
I think, far more often than not, the power of God will bring struggle and conflict; and I think those circumstances will often lead us closer to the power of God. In fact, many times God will bring us conflict and struggle so that He can bring us out of them. Psalm 50:15 says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Life would be so much easier (less problems/struggles/trials) without God...at the same time, the ones we went through would be a lot more devastating without him as well.
I think Paul said it best - 2 Cor. 11: 23-7
And again in 2 Cor. 4:8-10, Phil. 3:10
(sorry, I'm making you look these up...they're far too long to put on here) :)
I'm going with the majority and saying "both" :) We are helped through trials by having the Lord in our lives-but sometimes those struggles come due to our crisis of belief and our desire to make tough decisions based on "what's right".
I vote for both. But I'm going to bed. I'll try to join the discussion tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThe first thought would be that we are lifted above some trials, we overcome them with God.
ReplyDeleteThe second thought then becomes, we are sure to have struggle and conflict because we live for God. And Gods ways are not the worlds ways. God said He will be with us in our trials, not that we wouldn't have any.
He told us we would be persecuted. We have all been, and will be, attacked BECAUSE of our relationship with Christ. The amazing thing, though, is that through Him we can endure. He will ALWAYS rise above. Thankfully, He's willing to take us along with Him.
ReplyDeleteSunday School answer:
ReplyDelete2 Peter 2:9 tells us that "the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials." (Note, it doesn't say He will, it just says He knows how to).
But Jesus clearly said in the Sermon on the Mount to rejoice (huh?) when we are persecuted, rather than to try to get out of our circumstances...
I think, far more often than not, the power of God will bring struggle and conflict; and I think those circumstances will often lead us closer to the power of God. In fact, many times God will bring us conflict and struggle so that He can bring us out of them. Psalm 50:15 says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Verrrrrry interesting...
both
ReplyDeleteLife would be so much easier (less problems/struggles/trials) without God...at the same time, the ones we went through would be a lot more devastating without him as well.
ReplyDeleteI think Paul said it best - 2 Cor. 11: 23-7
And again in 2 Cor. 4:8-10, Phil. 3:10
(sorry, I'm making you look these up...they're far too long to put on here) :)
Copying Natalie.
ReplyDeleteBoth.
hmmph. you buncha cloud-floaters. (grin)
ReplyDeletecertainly both
ReplyDeleteI'm going with the majority and saying "both" :) We are helped through trials by having the Lord in our lives-but sometimes those struggles come due to our crisis of belief and our desire to make tough decisions based on "what's right".
ReplyDelete