“For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:11-12)

Whether they knew it or not, the church of Corinth was blessed because of Paul’s sufferings. The battles endured and hardships faced were all allowed by God so that Paul would be a great witness to the world. During this time in church history, there was a lot of suffering taking place, and as a result of that suffering, the Word of God was spread to more and more people. In fact, this continues today.

I believe we all could list out some areas where we suffered because of Christ. It may not be to the extent that Paul suffered, but trials are a part of the Christian life. That may not sound so great but think of it this way, when you’re going through a trial, someone else is watching you and can be blessed through your response. The Bible says we are like fractured jars of clay, or “cracked jars”. The more suffering and trials hit, the more we seem to crack.

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

The more we crack, the more Jesus is seen inside of us. God will use every situation in your life for good so rejoice in the hard times and look for those ways to shine… like a cracked jar with a brilliant light inside.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, While it may be hard, I want to thank You for my times of suffering. I know that each of these moments is being used to make me more like Jesus. Give me the strength and wisdom needed to be a witness for You even in times of suffering. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org