Our Resolute Hope Podcast

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul revealed how suffering transformed him into a humble man who learned that God’s strength works best in weak vessels.

Some suffering turns our world completely upside down.  When that happened to Paul, his restoration required three things:  time; biblically sound fellowship; and positive affirmation and support.

Suffering can make us completely suited for God’s purposes in our lives, if we give our consent.  How do we consent?  The same way Jesus did – by willingly choosing to ‘listen under’ our Father.

Through His earthly suffering, Jesus learned to trust His Father fully, to represent Him clearly to others, and to be a sympathetic intercessor.  Suffering can accomplish the same things in our lives, too.

 

Lengthened by hammering and stretched into the perfect shape.  This is how Luke 2:52 described our Lord’s earthly life as He learned to trust His Father fully, just as we must do.

Some pain feels like it won’t ever go away.  In these times, we must find God in a way we never knew Him, so we can get through what we can’t seem to get over.

Our role is to be such good representatives of God to this world that, when people meet us, they see His grace, truth, and life clearly.

Paul made a point to surround himself with a band of likeminded brothers and sisters who would support and encourage one another.

Despite the persecution he suffered, how did Paul bring the good news of grace in Jesus Christ to those who needed to hear it?

How did Jesus stay true to His mission when many opposed Him and refused to believe what He had to say?