There are so many heart breaking and soul anguishing life situations that come upon us during our lifetime and they can sometimes leave us stressed out, bitter, broken, in doubt, consumed with fear and anxiety and troubled to the point that we are never the same after the catastrophe. Should it really be this way?
Just this week, we learned of the untimely death of a pastor friend and colleague in the ministry. The shock was extreme for us, as he is still a young man in his fifties, but can you imagine how earth shattering this situation is for his wife, children and grandchildren? Life events like this can derail even the best of Christians if we allow it. But, sad to say, it usually takes much less than the death of a spouse to cause most Christians to quit, pull back, give up and just say, “I’ve had enough”. We can quickly become resentful blamers and complainers, filled with self pity and left powerless and sitting on a shelf for the cause of Christ.
Why does it happen this way so often? It’s because our flesh life is what we are really living by and the faith life is what we may call upon in emergencies only! That is not the way it should be!
The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is our victory! In everything and in every part of this earthly life, it is to be our deliverance! Do you truly understand the value of the cross of Christ in your life?
The cross of Christ at Calvary, broke the power of sin over me when I repented and turned from that sin at the time of salvation. I need to accept that and yield to its power over my life! I don’t need to wallow, get angry, become distrustful and estranged from friends and loved ones in order to “deal” with my crises of life. I don’t need to withdraw and crawl into the den of bitterness in order to “deal” with my hurt. There is deliverance for my sorrow! Romans chapter six very clearly describes that. Romans 6:6-7 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
That is power dear friend! In your trial….remember Calvary! When your heart is filled with pain and you’re tempted to complain….remember Calvary. When all hope is gone, you are feeling helpless and defeated and you cannot see the way ahead of you….remember Calvary!
Life is hard.
Friends will let us down. There will be times when the very ones you poured your life into, will turn on you. Count on it. There will be times when we will feel so all alone, but if you are choosing to live the flesh life over the faith life and to allow your distractors to discourage you and turn you aside, then you are doomed to spiritual failure and a life of joylessness!
Remember Calvary! Our Lord went to the cross for a purpose, ladies. The cross of Christ is my victory over flesh and lust! I don’t have to be subject to my feelings any longer! Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Our problem? We just don’t die easily. I cannot get the victory over my flesh by myself! But…oh….when I remember Calvary and surrender to its power in my life, I also recognize who my enemy really is and that Satan has been deemed powerless over me….because of the cross of Christ! Oh---- Praisealleluia!
Remember Calvary, dear friends! Satan does not care if you wear out and get a martyr complex. He doesn’t care if you cast off the spiritually minded friends who have been a spiritual mentor for you your whole life. He does not care one whit, if you conceal yourself from others and gather yourself in your quiet spot to lick your wounds and count up all your life hurts and annoyances that have helped bring you down to the pit. He doesn’t care.
Jesus cares! Wouldn’t you love to deal once-and-for-all with your sin and your faithlessness? I encourage you to get on your face before a Holy, Righeous God and identify your sin before Him. Your enemy is not greater than your LORD!
God has a purpose in our trouble. Go to the cross. Remember Calvary!
II Corinthians 1:8-9 “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”
Ever been to the place where you despaired even of life? I have.
II Corinthians 1:9 “But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.”
Remember Calvary dear one. That is where we will find victory over sin and the flesh that so easily besets us…
7 comments:
So many powerful truths here... Do I think more about the cause of Christ, or the "cause of self?"
Thanks, Mrs. Shaffer, for this reminder. Years ago when I went through rejection, in my pity party I remembered how Christ was rejected by everyone at Calvary and that helped me realized I had nothing to complain about. I still had a Pastor and church family who still loved me and cared about me.
Wonderful! Thank you!
Emilie
Thank you so much for this reminder. Dianne
Thank you so much for this reminder. Dianne
This article is absolutely fantastic! I have already read and reread it. Ladies, this is exactly what most of us need in our everyday lives. So much wisdom and "meat"in this. I know how much we all appreciate these articles that can be a real encouragement to us on an everyday basis. I have made a commitment to be reminded...daily...of Calvary! Thank you! Emilie Rettig
Thank you so much for writing this. I don't know how to express what a blessing it has been to my heart. Dianne
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