Look at the bright side

Life can be painful sometimes,kinda like a thorn in the flesh like paul calls it in 2Corinthians 12:7-10. Because of this, we can spend all our lives like paul begging God to take these thorns away. Some many times however,these thorns may never depart from our lives or may persist for so long. However, we must learn not to dwell on the thorns, but should ask God to help us see the brighter side of it, a part of the situation that can be working for our good.

When I talk about this, I have in mind a married woman who has been praying and trusting God for a child for so long without success. Another man or lady who has been praying and trusting God for a spouse and is now so old but the spouse is not forthcoming. A person who has been married to a violent or sinful spouse and has been praying for them to change without success. A sick person who seems to be accumulating hospital bills without cure for their illness. A schooled person who has been looking for a job for a long time without success and so many more issues. Some times it may not make sense to concentrate on the positive side but their is one. Their is always a dark and a bright side of every situation.

Think about the stroy of Stephen’s stoning, Paul’s thorn or even Jesus’ crucification and suffering. In all these, they chose to see the brighter side of their situations.Stephen when he was being stoned in Acts 7 chose to look towards heaven and he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. What a sight! When Paul prayed three times for the thorn to be taken away but without success, God promised him that God’s grace would be sufficient for him and that His power would be made perfect in his weakness. What an assurance! And Jesus when He begged God to remove the cup of suffering without success and He went through it, he received the glory and became our Lord. What an honor!

So it may really not matter so much what we may be going through at the moment, what matters is the end result. Your lack of a job can be an opportunity for you to start a multi billion business. Your continued praying for your spouse could be an opportunity for you to get deeper in God and for Him to use you to do exploits. You delayed spouse could be an opportunity to serve God and yourself which can be a challenge once you are married because of change in priorities .And your illness and lack of a child could later turn to be a great testimony and a source of encouragement to some many resulting to greatness and fame.

Remember an expectant/pregnant mother who has to go through 9 terrible months of pain and discomfort plus the last days painful labor before birth. She chooses to go through it all because her eyes are fixed on the bundle of joy that will come forth after all the suffering. Therefore, we must choose to look on that bright side. We must pray to God to help us see it and I promise you that His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) for when we are weak, then we are strong.

God bless you and keep growing in Him!