Free Grace Women

Once again, I am hurting due to someone else’s actions.  Although I am trying to focus on Jesus’ future everlasting Kingdom, the pain and difficulties of the moment keep bringing the present to the forefront of my mind.  To get through today with the right attitude, I’m looking at some of God’s promises for right now.

Strength

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB1995

Naturally or supernaturally, God will give me the strength I need to get through this trial.  He may have used events earlier in my life to prepare me for this time, and/or use this difficulty to strengthen me for a future hardship.  In fact, He might even have certain troubles bypass me if I’m not strong enough to face them.  What He will not allow is for me to be tempted beyond what I am able.

Provision

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”  Hebrews 13:5 NASB1995

In the context of what believers have in a material sense, God says He will not forsake me.  While He doesn’t promise me all the things that I could desire, being told that a God with complete power will never leave me is a major promise.

Vengeance

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Romans 12:19 NKJV

Although I sometimes feel (or feel like someone is telling me) that it is sinful to think that vengeance should be taken against an individual due to that individual’s sin, Romans 12:19 actually implies the opposite.  Granted, I am told to live peaceably with others if possible (Romans 12:18), help my enemies in their need (Romans 12:20), and bless those who persecute me (Romans 12:14), and thus overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).  If I refuse to do that, then I am disobeying.  However, the God who knows every detail—including extenuating circumstances, hidden sin, and the outcome of all vengeance—says He will repay.  When I am hurting because of injustice, this is in irreplaceable promise.

Purpose

Now we know that all things work together with those who love God to [produce] good, [that is], together with those who are called in harmony with [His] purpose. Romans 8:28 Hodges.¹

I may not know when.  I may not know how.  But I do know this trial will work for good—it is not a pointless period of pain.

Opportunity

But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.  And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1 Peter 3:14-16 NKJV

Commonly, 1 Peter 3:15 is interpreted as saying that believers should be prepared to answer any questions about why they believe in Jesus for everlasting life.  While I completely agree with that concept, the context of this verse is when a Christian is suffering for the sake of righteousness.  When you are living righteously, suffering, and still maintaining hope, people get curious.  In fact, 1 Peter 3:16 even says that your righteous living can cause those reviling Christians to become ashamed of their bad conduct.

Conclusion

Ideally, the person whose wrongdoing caused my pain should not have acted wrongly.  However, that has already happened, and part of my life will be lived with more pain and difficulty because of it.  But I have a choice: I can choose to focus on God’s promises and faithfulness—including His promises of strength, provision, vengeance, purpose, and opportunity while I am suffering—or I can choose to waste this part of my life in bitterness and recriminations.

1. Footnote: While I found Zane Hodges’ argument for this translation of Romans 8:28 convincing (Hodges, Z. 2012. Romans: Deliverance from Wrath. pgs 235-238. Grace Evangelical Society), and am thus using it, this particular point is not materially diminished with the more traditional translations, such as NKJV’s “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

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