Stronger And Better
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Whenever challenges arise, God’s grace thrives in us. It is like what happens to a tree when a great storm beats violently against it and the wind threatens to uproot the tree and carry it away. It may break off its branches and blow away the leaves. It may loosen the roots and blow off even the buds, such that when the storm is over, everything looks hopeless.
Yet, when we look closer; the same storm that opened crevices in the earth around the trunk of the tree has helped the roots go deeper. The tree has access to new, deeper sources of nutrition and water. It has been purged of all its dead branches. The buds may be gone, but others will grow back more fully. That tree is now stronger, growing in unseen ways, and by harvest, it is going to produce much more fruit.
Maybe you are in a storm right now. The wind may be blowing hard, shaking you violently, and you think you are going down. Don’t panic! You need to know that despite all of the tempest, you are putting down deep spiritual roots.
God is developing in you a deepening humility, a greater depth with him and a heightened hunger for his righteousness.
God is making you a seasoned soldier of the cross, battle-scarred but battle-smart and courageous. You may get down on yourself at times, but the Lord never does. The fact is that he could have acted sovereignly at any time to pluck you out of your struggle, but he didn’t because he is using it to produce strength and new life in us.
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5