Surpassing Power of God

I have a selection of cards with Bible verses. Each day I pick 2 or more to read and meditate on those truths as I go on a walk. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9  is a passage that keeps popping up.
" But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed."

At first I was entranced by the promise that the worst thing would not happen. I would not be crushed, driven to despair, forsaken or destroyed. That sounded great but then I thought about the rest. I did not want to be afflicted in every way, perplexed, persecuted or struck down. This list did not make me any happier than the other list. Both lists did not fit in with my desire for a smooth life with only short bouts of suffering.

Over the years I have experienced the uncertainty and discomfort of many surgeries as well as the illnesses and deaths of many loved ones. Wasn't two bouts of cancer  enough? Where was my picture perfect life? Whenever suffering seems to muddy my path I eagerly look for the path to clear and the sun to shine.

When I turned to the book of Isaiah I found the words God spoke to his people proving that He is not a distant God.
"Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have called you by name ,you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you."Isaiah 43:1b-2

Just as in the 2 Cor. 1b-2 God does not promise an easy life but what he promises is Himself. He knows us and calls us by name and He promises to be there during the difficult times.
In James 1:2-4 we read:

"Count it all joy my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you maybe perfect and complete lacking in nothing."

In our lives we count it all joy not because we are always happy and everything is great, but because God gives us himself and in the giving we become more and more the people God created us to be.




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