In my recent past I have been going through a lot of trials, tribulations and tests. At times it has been overwhelming. I have wondered why, after so much in the last two years it continues. Am I in some sin that has caused any blessing in my life to be removed or?
Perhaps Paul is onto something here. Maybe these trying times are to become a blessing in someones life. This will bring blessing to my life. God reminds me as Christians we are neither dependent or independent, we are interdependent.
Second Corinthians 2:
1From Paul to God’s called ones, his church in Corinth. I have been chosen by Jesus Christ to be his apostle according to God’s perfect plan. Our brother Timothy joins me in writing to you and all the holy believers throughout the Roman province of Achaia.a 2May undeserved favor and endless peace be yours continually from our Father God and from our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One! 3All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort.b 4He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us. 5And just as we experience the abundance of Christ’s own sufferings,c even more of God’s comfort will cascade upon us through our union with Christ. 6If troubles weigh us down, that just means that we will receive even more comfort to pass on to you for your deliverance! For the comfort pouring into us empowers us to bring comfort to you. And with this comfort upholding you, you can endure victoriously the same suffering that we experience. 7Now our hope for you is unshakable,d because we know that just as you share in our sufferings you will also share in God’s comforting strength.
8Brothers and sisters, you need to know about the severe trials we experienced while we were in western Turkey.e All of the hardships we passed through crushed us beyond our ability to endure, and we were so completely overwhelmed that we were about to give up entirely.f 9It felt like weg had a death sentence written upon our hearts, and we still feel it to this day. It has taught us to lose all faith in ourselves and to place all of our trust in the God who raises the dead. 10He has rescued us from terrifying encounters with death. And now we fasten our hopes on him to continue to deliver us from death yet again, 11as you labor together with us through prayer.h Because there are so many interceding for us, our deliverance will cause even more people to give thanks to God. What a gracious gift of mercy surrounds us because of your prayers!
Simmons, Brian. 1 & 2 Corithians: Love and Truth (The Passion Translation) (Kindle Locations 1950-1959). BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC. Kindle Edition.
These times are an opportunity to have a glimpse of what Christ went through. He wants to meet with us as co-laborers in the work He has to fulfill. I discover He is proud of me as I work to represent Him. To keep a smile and quick word of blessing to those in need. In my own grief I can still find blessing for others inviting blessing for myself.
Behold I Saw 