By Rainey Wildcrafter
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” 2 Peter 1:3
Pain and suffering become the raw materials necessary for growth and maturing as Christians. Learning to embrace all we experience includes those things that bring suffering. Embracing all we experience is the only way to approach difficulties, tragedies and opposition in this life.
When we embrace the fiery ordeals of suffering, we are acknowledging, accepting and allowing ourselves to be right where we are at— opening our thoughts and hearts to fully experience all our emotions; light and dark.
Difficulties can become catalysts that compel us to move forward in our spiritual lives —digging deeper into the unlimited and unreserved well of God’s divine grace. The power and strength necessary to endure trials and to birth godly fruit results from stepping into God’s grace.
When we abide, depend and rely on the divine power of Christ in us; to lead, guide, direct and empower us —- we step into becoming His vision upon this earth.
Awakening the Spirit of God in us occurs when take time nurturing and cultivating our relationship in alone time with God each day. This is how we receive renewal and refreshing of God’s Spirit in us as He provides all we need to live as godly image bearers.
Each day we are gifted grace and opportunity to begin again. We begin again this journey in faith —- walking in the unseen realm — believing and trusting in the tangible presence of our God who imparts provision, equipping us in all manner of righteousness.
In the uncertainties, in the unknown, in the unfamiliar and in the face of opposition we clothe our inner attitude in this unseen supernatural divine power provided to us by God. God has infused into every believer the life of His son Jesus, whose life has been knitted into the fabric of our humanity.
We struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the dark forces that are actively at work in this world and these unholy beings use other humans to accomplish deeds against what is right and what is godly and what is good for the betterment of all.
Stepping into God’s grace requires we kneel before the throne of God daily to receive power from His Spirit, to weather and persevere, as His people, in a world where others walk not according to love and mercy as moral codes.
Stepping into grace requires interceding prayerfully, persistently, consistently in the midst of opposition, in the middle of trials and storms —- however they are playing out in our own little part of this world.
Stepping into grace requires trusting in this unseen supernatural divine spiritual power of Christ in us to intervene, to make a way when we see no way —- for Him to accomplish His will, His desires and His plans in and through our most holy surrender.
Stepping into grace requires us to call upon others to pray and intercede on our behalf to help battle against opposition and difficulties in our lives and in the lives of those we love.
Stepping into grace is not for those deemed strong, it is for those of us who realize Christianity is not about our own strength, our own methods and our own figuring things out, or having all the answers. This faith is ALL about entering into a spiritual union in the power of Christ so His Spirit becomes our ALL-ABILITY.
Trusting and obeying in the supernatural sufficiency of the person and power of Jesus Christ as our sole source is the only way to live out our Christian faith.
Walking in faith often requires a grueling determination where we endure suffering of all kinds and where we learn to battle in the spiritual realm by putting on God’s armor for wisdom, protection and safety.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13
Putting on the armor of God becomes a necessary intentionality on our part each day — yielding of our flesh tendencies, our not knowing and our inability —– to the supernatural entity and empowerment of Jesus Christ whose grace gives us His ability.
It is the divine power of God who is active in us, is above any force, is greater than any principality and surpasses any dark power whose agents act out evil deeds.
When we face opposition or difficulties —- it comes at us through other persons. We must recognize we are fighting against dark and wicked agendas, being mindful to depend on the truth that God who resides in us has already overcome all evil. Any issue we face, we do so by His powerful divine love, seeking Him, His ways, His wisdom and remain motivated in godliness in whatever we encounter.
No matter the end result of what we suffer or the difficulties we face, God’s purposes will flourish in our lives and in in the lives of those we intercede on behalf of. The power of God in us will prevail according to His will and His desires.
What we imagine the outcome of any situation, circumstance or adversity to be, must be surrendered to the holy desires of God — as His purposes, His intentions and His plans will be what becomes manifested as the way, the truth and the life.
We must be mindful as Christians, success in regards to any outcome —- in God’s eyes — is pure obedience.
We develop resilience when enduring and persevering obstacles when we learn this art of abiding in the grace of Christ as our source.
Regardless of results, our emotions, other persons opinions, cultural conditioning or any other factors, when we act from a stance of obedience to what we know is the right thing to do, then do it, we are being guided by God’s Word, His truth and His love.
When we learn to embrace Christ’s grace in all we encounter, uniting in His sufficiency as a lifestyle in the good times and in the bad times, we discover a deeper resilience, gifting meaning and purpose in midst of our struggles.
In conclusion what we gain that greatly benefits us when we dig into God’s grace in the midst of suffering are the following:
1) We transcend the difficulty/opposition by embracing them and entering into this spiritual union in God’s grace.
2) We develop courage and vulnerability when admitting our own weakness and in allowing Jesus’ life in us to grant strength for the moment.
3) We develop a God-consciousness in viewing circumstances through His lens, seeing life through His holy perspective, creating meaning and purpose in the midst of dire situations and tragedies faced in this world.
