Sometimes, I Just Feel—Beat
II Corinthians 4:16-18
Baking a cake is brutal. The first thing you do is to take a wire whisk and beat the sugar into the eggs. From the inexperienced view point, that seems a bit overdone. If the sugar is not beaten into the eggs till the grainy feel is gone and the batter is smooth and light, the texture of the cake can be coarse. The experienced baker knows that every step is a necessary part of the process no matter how tedious it seems.
Of course, that is just an analogy, but, sometimes, we look at the circumstances of our own life, or the life of somebody we love and we think that they (or we) are being brutalized. Feeling battered and bruised, we cry out to God, “Whyyyyyy?” In the Old Testament, we see the patriarchs rising above hardship, tragedy and, sometimes, even their own shortcomings, to emerge as mighty people of God.
In the book of Job, we see a righteous man taken from prosperity to the depths of suffering and back to prosperity; illustrating God’s sovereignty through circumstance. The New Testament saints were beaten, persecuted and lived in poverty so that the knowledge of Christ could be spread.
When we study the scriptures; there are far more references to overcoming, conquering, standing strong, working hard and being responsible than there are about comfort and abundance. Sadly, today’s Christian is often more focused on the sweet rewards of serving God than the hard truth about everyday life.
Satan’s goal is to separate me from my Lord. Whether the devil chooses the tools of temptation, sickness, circumstances or bitterness; his ultimate goal is to lessen my relationship with Jesus.
Make note that satan’s success relies on my participation in his plans! When life is difficult; I choose whether I turn to my Lord or turn away. Satan can try to influence me but he can not control me. Serving God with all of my heart is a moment by moment decision.
We serve God faithfully, even through hard times, because we know satan’s schemes and we choose to walk strong in Jesus. The events in our lives that hurt can come from various directions. Sometimes, I do things that cause my own pain, other times; somebody hurts me.
Now and then, circumstances just work against me and cause me discomfort. Walking strong means forgiving those who have hurt us (II Corinthians 2:9-11) and growing through those things that satan has meant to defeat us.
When bad things happen, God has a plan to turn even the worst circumstances to our favor. (Genesis 50: 18-20) God’s plan is to use everything that happens in our life to work to our good. Romans 8:28 doesn’t say everything that happens in our life will feel good at the moment. But, rather that all things work FOR our good.
More importantly, life isn’t just about “here, now.” Life is a preparation for eternity, where we will rule and reign with Christ— so, stand strong even when you feel like you have been beaten. Always remember, God, like the master baker, knows what it takes to make His creation—-beautiful.
II Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Prayer: Lord Jesus help me to keep my eyes on the goal of eternity with you. Give me grace, wisdom and mercy to handle every situation and circumstance that comes against me so that in all my attitudes and ways, I honor you with my life. Amen.
Scriptural References:
II Corinthians 2:9-11 Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Genesis 50: 18-20 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him “We are your slaves,” they said.
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.