The Other 90 Percent

THE OTHER 90 PERCENT

“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

No one enjoys suffering for any amount of time, let alone enduring longsuffering.  Through it, however, the Lord works in ways that our minds cannot even imagine.

Living in a fallen world, there is peace in knowing that the Lord has not abandoned us to fend for ourselves.  He is tender-hearted toward us in our pain, drawing close to comfort us in our tears.  As a hen gathers her brood, He offers refuge and loving kindness under the shadow of His wings (Matt 23:37).

“we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” - Hebrews 4:14.

Jesus’ suffering was a work far greater than what was observed by the crowds at His crucifixion.  Like an iceberg with 90% of its mass below the surface, there was far more transpiring beneath the surface of His pain than could be seen with their eyes —beyond the beatings, crucifixion and death, there was a much deeper work being accomplished.

Through it all, He won freedom for the captives, conquered sin and death, finished the work and paid the price for the sin of all mankind, once and for all (Heb 10:10).

Jesus went through Hell so we would not have to, and His victorious resurrection gave birth to the miracles of grace and mercy.

We rely so much on what we can see with our eyes, that we come to believe that what we can see is all there is—that our pain is only meaningless suffering with no eternal value.  But what if there is something happening that we can’t see?  What if our pain is merely the tip of the iceberg to an amazing work God is doing deep below the surface?

Charles Spurgeon said it beautifully, “In proportion to your tribulations shall be your consolations! If you have shallow sorrows, you shall receive shallow graces; but if you have deep afflictions, you shall obtain the deeper proof of the faithfulness of God!”

Father, strengthen us to believe that You are not allowing us to suffer any longer than necessary to accomplish Your perfecting work within us.  Give us faith to believe that we WILL realize something of eternal, priceless value through our suffering, if we trust You in it.

Father, we ask to be delivered, but more than that, we ask that Your unseen work in our suffering will be for our blessing, the saving of souls and Your honor.  May none of our struggle be wasted or tarnished by grumbling.  Like Jesus, may the pangs of our anguish give birth to lavish grace and mercy in our hearts for our fellow man. As we worship through tears, be glorified in and through us. May we be found faithful in our testing and, in turn, trust in Your faithfulness for the other 90 percent.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

If you have been encouraged, please SHARE!
https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more