For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:5)
The majority of people who come to Christ have a belief that once we come to Jesus, our car gets paid, our house gets bigger, our bank account expands, our family becomes ideal, and our problems disappear. That is not what God’s word says. We are told that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but we are fighting spiritual wickedness and principalities and powers of darkness.
When the principalities and powers and rulers of spiritual wickedness see that they no longer have us, they will fight to try to destroy us. This is where spiritual warfare comes in and knowing that greater is He that is in us, then he that is in the world. We have victory in Jesus, but we must fight the battles that come our way. It is just plain knowledge that the closer one is to Jesus, the greater the battles are, but the bigger the victories!
These battles are stepping stones for us to grow stronger in the Lord day by day. God uses hardships for our own good. If a parent never allowed their child to endure hard times in order to mature them, what kind of parent would they be? God is always with us and we must trust Him enough to know that this too shall pass. The sufferings of Christ do abound in us but know that our consolation also abounds in Him.
In every situation we must learn to be content abased and abound. Through Jesus, we can rejoice when suffering abounds. In the book of Judges chapter 3, God’s word tells us that God allowed Israel’s enemies to surround them and fight them so that they would learn warfare. It is out of love that God walks us through times of warfare even though to us it may seem hard and cruel. God is good and He wants to put His arms around you this day and say to you,” be at rest weary soul for tribulation worketh patience and I am with you always!”
Great faith is a product of a great fight! The very battles that are trying to defeat us are the very battles that cause us to fight even harder and reach new heights of victory never before seen!
TMMC-The Teaching Ministry of Michael Cannatello
