Through the Lens of Faithfulness

Written by: Maddie Klaiber

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But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV

It’s in my weakest moments that I have seen Jesus move the mightiest mountains. It’s in my weakest moments that I’ve had no choice but to fall on my knees and surrender -- my own desires, plans, my own will. It’s in my weakest moments that I struggle to see the purpose in these hardships. I wrestle with doubt and insecurities. In the moment, I am by no means thankful for the hurt that lingers so much longer than I’d like for it to.

The very last thing that comes to my mind in these seasons of hardship is that I am being made strong.

So if I am on my knees at the end of myself, feeling the weight of the world -- how am I supposed to even attempt to be grateful for these things? For the weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities…it all seems like too much, Lord. It’s easy to be grateful for the beautiful things. The moments that are covered in sunshine and simply seem to make sense. But, the older I get I’m learning that seasons tend to blend together.

You’ll have heartache throughout the good seasons and you’ll have joy in the trying seasons. Our circumstances are ever changing, but if there’s one thing in this world that’s constant, it’s our Savior. His heart is good and it is kind, and He truly cannot deny Himself. He is faithful to provide and faithful to guide our feet in the direction He has laid out for us.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful -- for he cannot deny himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

Maintaining an attitude of gratefulness looks completely different when you look at it through the lens of faithfulness. Not your own ability to be faithful, but by Jesus’ ability to be faithful. He’s not limited to where we stand or the circumstances of this world. Faithfulness is His character, and even when we are faithless to Him, He is faithful to us.

So often we run from hardships and we chase after the things our hearts desire, but He always knows what we need so much better than we do. And He knows exactly what it takes to get us to the point He’s calling us to.

And sometimes, that simply looks like enduring hardships. If it takes walking through storms of heartache and loss to make me more like Jesus in the long run, then may I handle those seasons with grace and thankfulness. Keep in mind that nothing is wasted when Jesus is on our side. He sees us right where we are -- He sees our heartache, our confusion and our feelings of being lost. He’s a God of redemption and He won’t let those painful moments slip away without putting them to good use.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4 ESV

In our weakness, He makes us strong. In our trials, He’s right beside us at work, shaping and molding us to look more and more like Him. And if you ask me, anything that brings us closer to His heart is something to be grateful for.

Reflection

1. Where in your life can you look back and see the faithfulness of God shine through your hard times?

2. What are some simple ways to start praising Him, even in the middle of hurt?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You loving us unlike any other. Thank You for allowing us to endure the trials to grow our hearts and to bring us closer to Your side. Help us to desire to run right into Your arms at the first sign of a storm in this life. We thank You that You are in control and that You are writing our stories from beginning to end. Thank You for not letting one single thing go to waste, and help us to truly count it all joy.

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