Strength Through Pain

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
PPhilippians 4:13 NKJV

One thing is for sure in this tempoary life of ours, we're bound to hurt at some point.  I've learned that our pain in NO WAY is a reflection of Gods feeling towards us.  In Philippians 4:13 we learn that, even in our darkest moments, Jesus is there to walk us through whatever it is we're goinf through.  I would add a comment to this passage, brought to my attention by my dear friend Dennis.  Not only can we do all things THROUGH Christ who strengthens us, above all JESUS IS OUR STRENGTH!  After all, it is indeed Jesus who is within us, so it his his strength we draw upon directly.  WE are HE.

"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."
Galations 2:20 NKJV

Can it be reasoned that if Jesus, as Galations 2:20 tells us, dwells within these earthly shells of ours, that we can draw upon his holy strength when we need it most?  Far from just being our strength in our despair, HE IS indeed the very strength that carries us through.  That can be a very calming influence for someone who is going through troubled times.

But he was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke him and said to him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  Then he arose and ebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still."  And the wind ceased and there was great calm.  But he said to them, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faiith?"  And they feared exeedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Mark 4: 38-41 NKJV

Notice the disciples in Mark 4.  Here they were in the very presence of the Living Christ, destined to be crucified on a Roman cross for their iniquities.  The time for his suffering at the hands of men had not yet come.  Yet, despite Jesus' teachings on Gods love and protection, when the storm came and tossed their boat on the sea.  In fact, it was Jesus who had said to them, "Let us pass to the other side."  Those disciples could have taken his comment to mean that he expected a safe passage.  But no.  When the storm came about and tossed their fishing boat upon the sea, these followers of Jesus panicked.  Now, there were a few fishermen on this, so they were most likely used to the foul weather of the sea.  Add to this that these men KNEW that Jesus was special, he had told them and they had seen his power.  Ok, the storm on the sea.  As the boat is tossed on the water, the disciples' very first thought is "Hey, Jesus, we're dying here...Don't you even care?"  Now, I don't know if Jesus planned this on purpose in order to test the faith of the disciples, or to show them faith, the scriptures don't tell us this.  All we know is that, after being awakened by his followers, Jesus calms the very sea that was threatening them.  Of course, the reaction of the disciples is predictable.  "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
At times we feel like those poor diciples in that boat crossing the sea.  There have been so many times where I've cried out to God, "Lord, don't you care that I'm perishing here?"  Recently, my dear mother passed away, and I asked God once again,  "God, don't you care?"  Rest assured, God does care!  It is our human thinking and emotions that cause us to feel God is distant and uncaring.  Don't get me wrong, emotions are a blessing from God and a good thing.  It is during the times that we struggle and are afraid that Jesus who is within each of us will utter those words that will calm our storm, "Peace, be still."

~Scott~