“Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger”
We have all heard the statement above. We have all probably
said it.
It is true. PROVIDED, we actually learn from that thing, that
situation, that circumstance. It is when we don’t learn anything from it that
the strength to face a similar thing again – won’t be there. It doesn’t mean that we will walk out of a situation,
a life transition, a tragedy without a scar or two, a few bruises, or maybe
even a long period of recovery. But it does mean that if we walk, run, limp,
crawl, or are even carried out of a situation we CAN become stronger. So the
above statement isn’t really true. It would be if it read – “Whatever doesn’t kill
you CAN make you stronger.” In fact, we
would do well to actually remember that even in the midst of that trial,
transition or tribulation. That way even
in the middle of it we can ask ourselves, “what can I take away from this.”
There is another point in this that even Christians mess up.
I know you may have heard the statement – “God will never give you anything
that you cannot handle.” Honestly I wish Christians would stop saying that. Life will hand you situations, trials,
tribulations, pains, hurts, etc. that will kill you. They will break you either
inside or on the outside or both. Yes, God will allow things in life to
overwhelm you, things that can defeat you.
Listen to the list of things Paul went through in 1
Corinthians 11:23-29
Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if
insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times
without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews
thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned,
three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I
have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers,
dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city,
dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I
have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and
thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external
things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who
is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?
BUT LOOK WHAT HE SAID IN VERSE 30
If I have to boast, I
will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
He never would say – “Look what I have done, look at all the
stuff I defeated!” It was just the opposite. He would say that his weakness is
what stood out. He didn’t boast about what he had done, but he would always
boast that it was because of what Christ had done in him.
In Hebrews 3:6
“…but Christ was
faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our
confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.”
Paul knew that in all the things that he went through, had
it not been for the presence of Christ in his life, had it not been for his
hope firmly on Christ he would have fallen, failed, surely not been
strengthened.
BUT here is the thing YOU can have that same hope and
confidence. The Bible promises this – “for He Himself has said, “I will never
desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews
13:5
SO – today – let’s be honest. What you are going through
very well could kill you. What you are going through could indeed cause you to
come out weaker. I want to encourage
you to ask Christ for the strength to overcome this “thing.” In John 16 He told us we would have these
kinds of troubles, but He also promised that since HE overcame, we could too.
And in Matthew 11:29
– “Take My yoke upon you and learn from
Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Let me give you two things to grab on to in the midst of
this “thing” you might be in –
TRUST HIM
LEARN FROM HIM
COME OUT STONGER
