Do you whine to God?
“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
Paul boasts about the Thessalonians because of their steadfastness in persecutions and afflictions. Their faith is growing abundantly. Their love for one another is increasing.
This unnatural result of difficulty is seen over and over throughout history. The local church seems to thrive in difficulty and it seems to deteriorate in times of ease or prosperity.
Do you thank God for hard things? Have you memorized James 1:2-4. James tells us to consider it joy when we encounter various trials. I’ve repeated that passage hundreds of times in my life. But I still whine. God hasn’t baked it into me yet. Maybe I’m just a hard case. You know you.
Maybe you’re very good at this. If we were, I believe the world would see it. Because of my career, and position, I can alleviate most of my difficulties.
But then, I potentially sidestep the design of God. I don’t have to grow in my difficulties. But if I was stuck in them, I might. God becomes visible when I do, and others can thank God and take part in my suffering.
Today, Can we give thanks to God for believers in other parts of the world? Can we live in a way that honors them by not whining, but by being steadfast in the difficult things that happen?
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