Når du går gjennom en vanskelig tid, folk vet ikke alltid hva jeg skal si. Resultatet er meningsløse klisjeer eller banalt forsøk på å muntre deg opp. Jeg har alltid hatt et problem med klisjé phrases- den typen som ikke betyr noe for den personen som sier dem, og ikke faktisk hjelpe personen å høre dem. Dum ting som, "Chin up" og "Det vil bli bedre." Really? Hvordan vet du? Du trenger ikke gjøre dine venner noen tjenester ved å gi dem lys, fluffy håp som ikke er forankret i noe. Når dype smerte treff vi trenger bunnsolid sannhet å støtte oss.
Under sin kamp med kreft, Christopher Hitchens uttrykt lignende frustrasjon med noen av de meningsløse fraser vi kaster rundt. Han bruker et par sider å angripe en av dem i sin bok, Mortality. Han sier, "Spesielt, Jeg har litt sluttet å utstede kunngjøringen om at «det ikke dreper meg gjør meg sterkere." Han fortsetter med å si, "I brute fysiske verden ... det er alt for mange ting som kan drepe deg, ikke drepe deg, og deretter forlate deg betydelig svakere. "Kan du ikke bare føle gleden?
Det høres deprimerende, men jeg tror Hitchens er midt i en forstand. Det er fullt mulig at vi kan gå gjennom vanskelige ting som bare svekker oss og bringe oss nærmere døden. Jeg kan forestille meg noen å stille spørsmålet, “Hvordan kunne noe så forferdelig gjøre meg sterkere?” Selv de mest positive mennesker kan bli brutt ned av den brutale vår falne verden. Optimisme kan bare overleve så mange slag før det bryter, og virkelighet til slutt kveler den ut. Setninger som en gang hørtes søt nå synes verdiløs. Men er den velmenende følelser Hitchens angrepet noensinne sant? jeg tror det.
Når er det sant?
"Det som ikke dreper meg gjør meg sterkere" kan være sant, men bare hvis det er noe utover dette livet. Hvis dette livet, denne verden, og denne kroppen er alt som er, Hitchens er riktig. Det er en løgn. Det ville være som å si, "Det som ikke totalt bilen min gjør det sterkere." Det er latterlig. Du må ignorere sannheten til å tro at. Men hvis våre midlertidige prøvelser har en slags evig betydning forandrer det alt.
Paulus forteller oss, "Alle ting virker sammen til det gode for dem som elsker Gud og er kalt etter sin hensikt." Dette verset er noen ganger misbrukt, men det er en av de vakreste løfter i hele Skriften. Dette betyr ikke at kristne er uovervinnelig. Alle av oss vil møte prøvelser, men vi kan ikke endelig bli beseiret av dem. Selv våre verste fiender, som lidelse og død, blitt våre venner i Kristus, fordi de til slutt jobbe i vår favør.
Så hvordan akkurat disse ødeleggende forsøk faktisk gjøre oss sterkere? Her er tre måter (med betydelig overlapping):
1. De gjør oss avhengige av Jesus
Når jeg føler at alt i livet mitt går bra, mitt hjerte trekker seg umiddelbart inn i selv avhengighet. Det svikter aldri. Jeg begynner å be mindre fordi jeg ubevisst antar jeg ikke mangler noe. Jeg blir stolt fordi jeg tror jeg er grunnen til at alt går bra. I disse tider, Jeg glemmer at Gud er giveren av gode gaver, og jeg fortsatt trenger ham for å opprettholde meg. Jeg antar at jeg er berettiget til alle Hans barmhjertighet.
Men når prøvelsene kommer vår vei, de viser oss vår egen svakhet. Sykdom minner hvor skjør vi er, permitteringer minner oss om at hardt arbeid ikke garantere noe, og konflikt minner oss om at vi trenger Jesus i alle områder av våre liv.
2 Kor 12 er en trøst for meg i tider med svakhet. Paul erkjenner at Gud ga ham en studie for å "holde [ham] fra å bli innbilsk. »Og han sier at han skilte gjerne i sin svakhet, og at han er fornøyd med alle slags prøvelser. Hvordan kunne Paulus være tilfreds og selv glad om hans prøvelser? Jeg tror Paulus sier at disse studiene gjør det klart at han trenger Guds nåde og kraft. Self-avhengighet er svakhet, og avhengighet av Kristus er styrke. Så sier Paul, «Når jeg er svak, da er jeg sterk. "
2. De gjør oss mer lik Jesus
Vi vil aldri være i stand til å tåle ødeleggende forsøk før vi innser at vår komfort og god helse er ikke det som er viktigst. Komfort og helse er gode ting som Gud har behag å gi oss. Men Guds primære vilje for våre liv er at vi ville bli lik Jesus. Og han er også villig til å bruke forsøk for å oppnå dette. Hebreerne 12 sier, "[Gud] tukter oss for vår gode, at vi kan dele hans hellighet. "Training i Guds gym kan skade noen ganger, men han vil gjøre oss sterkere.
James 1:2 kommer til hjernen, hvor han forteller oss å «Greven det for bare glede, mine brødre, når du møter prøvelser av ulike slag…"Grunnen til at vi bør telle det glede er Kristus-lignende karakter den produserer. Vår ydmykhet er viktigere enn vår lykke. Det er bedre å være fysisk svak og åndelig sterke.
3. De gjør oss lenge til å være sammen med Jesus
Våre hjerter er svekket av synd, og vi ofte finner oss lengsel etter mer av hva denne verden har å tilby. Men når de midlertidige gleden av denne verden blir tatt fra oss, vi minnet om at jorden er ikke vårt hjem. Vår statsborgerskap er andre steder.
Jeg elsker å bo i fine hoteller, og når jeg gjør jeg prøver å dra nytte av alle perks. Men så begynner jeg å gå glipp av min kone, og da jeg innser at jeg ikke har de klærne jeg ment å bringe, og da jeg innser romservice er omtrent halvparten så god som min kones matlaging. Det minner meg om at dette hotellet ikke er mitt hjem. Udekkede begjær gjør meg lang tid å være hjemme. Denne jorden er ikke der vi hører hjemme, og prøvelser minne oss om at vårt paradis er andre steder, med vår Herre. Det blir ingen udekkede begjær i himmelen, fordi vår Herre vil tilfredsstille alle våre lengsler. Han vil avskaffe smerte og hell hans nåde ut over oss for alltid.
Så neste gang du har en venn som går gjennom en tøff tid, minne dem om at selv de mest tragiske omstendigheter kan gjøre oss sterkere. Ikke gjennom positiv tenkning og optimisme, men gjennom virkelig håp og reell endring. Og når du går gjennom en vanskelig sesong, la det trekke deg nærmere Kristus. Ikke vær redd, Herren er med deg.
Den troendes håp er hinsides graven, og i det neste liv vil vi være like, og med ham. So even what kills us makes us stronger.
Amen.
Thanks trip, that was exactly what I needed to hear right now. Going through a super tough time and His faithfulness to comfort his children never fails to amaze me.
Awesome piece.I will do away with the usual cliches and instead advice those in pain from today onward to look on to the rock that is higher than i..Thank you sir
This was a little surprising to read. I had never really thought about positive sayings in negative situations being a bad thing. Men, en gang til, it’s through God’s glory that we can manage through the tough times and realize that there is something greater than this world. What doesn’t kill me, or does, makes me stronger because it draws me closer to God.
Mr. Tripp Lee
I woke up this morning feeling conceited and sort of untouchable believing that since most things in my life were going on okay, then I don’t need to trust God even more. I was wrong and was reminded of it quite immediately as the day was progressing on. Thank you for your insight in this manner and I pray the Lord will show me Grace and pick me up from where I am.
Your brother in Christ
Dear Mr.trip lee,
I just love this (: i have a question my church is actually doing a series “what on earth am i here for?” n im on of the youth leaders and I’ll be doing a lesson a discipleship and everything you said ties in perfectly cause on of the sections is depending on god during trails… so if its ok could i use some of your stuff? Like lil quotes or scriptures but only with your permisson …. I seriously love your stuff and its diffently helping me grow as christian (: thank you for being a man of god n honoring your calling to go into preaching. Gods gonna do some powerful things in your life and your familys life (:
I love u trip.. i really do bro!
Been a rough two years, and this post is just bursting with honest truth. Much needed for this father of three girls, and husband to an author and speaker whose message has changed from the challenges of marriage and motherhood to persevering when all seems lost.
Your track, Jeg er flink, has been my theme song the past two years, Tur. I don’t crank any song louder, and I couldn’t have asked God to pen words that spoke any deeper to my soul. There are moments when even the smallest thoughts of suicide crossed my mind. You sure feel like you’re at war when that’s the honest truth.
But real hope and real change are much more worth it than giving up. That’s so true. There’s a fight to be fought for each of us. I appreciate you taking the time to pen these words, Tur. I’ll be reading through this post a few more times. Praising God for speaking through you in our earbuds, on the stage, at the pulpit, in your home, and on the web.
Tur, keep writing man! Your last two posts have spoke to exactly where I’m at in life and I’ve come across them just when I needed to. God is undoubtedly working through you.
What you said has help me to understand somethings and will mean alot to me. The message relates alot with what i have been going through for about 5 years and still going through now.Thank you Trip Lee.
it’s true for the christian who walks by faith and not by sight.i have been in hard times; where everything was goings against my expectations.It became even harder to keep my trust in the Lord but because i knew that the pain i was experiencing was temporary and designed to make me stronger not to destroy me.i held on Jesus and here i am i prevailed.
I think you have this piece contains a lot of truths. Certainly as a believer what does kill me or does only makes me stronger. God bless you and give you the insight to speak more of His truths to His people.
Hei Trip
Thank you for this message. I has really encouraged me because I have been having a tough time for around 12 år, battling with an unheard of illness and I really want to deepen my relationship with God. I’m at the point where nowadays I just feel numb to emotions, but I believe that the Holy Spirit is urging me to trust Jesus and depend on Him.
Such an enlightened post and really helps you put things in perspective, just lost my brother 3 months ago to multiple myeloma and my mum is in the severe stages of dementia I know that to be able to cope I have to draw my strength from God, and rejoice that the day before he pass he let me lead him to the Lord and gave his life. Keep up the good work, you are inspiring my 18 year old son to write music and keep up with his piano, stay blessed!
Hei Trip,
You always have a way of putting into words what I think but am unable to write. You have many true talents. Thank you for using them for what you were called to do. God bless you brother.
Mr. Barefield…….you are a wonderful, shining example of God’s love. He has blessed you in lyric to share His message. I appreciate reading what you write, listening to your music and would love to hear you in person some time. Thanks for being obedient in sharing God’s words; always, positiv, uplifting and right on point! Good Bless You Brother!
I lost my job today and I can’t tell you how much of an answer to prayer this is! After I left I kept crying out tell me what to do tell me please. Now I know. I need to stay humble and realize the next job he gives me is from him not of my works!
Tur
This hs what I always want 2 hear and read. Pris Gud 4 u bra.
This is encouraging stuff, bror. Thank you for reminding me of the gospel; the foundation of every Christian life.
Amen to that man!
Your explanation of our fathers meanings always give me understanding. Thank you Trip and please continue to help to open my eyes.
Nevne: daglig Treasures | treasuring Kristus
Amen, Blessings to you.
Preach it trip!
Amen. Thank you so much for your spirit filled guidance and teaching. Love this blog!
I agree that often times when people offer up the sayings you used, they don’t always make you feel better. My family and I experienced that this summer at my cousin’s funeral. He was shot and killed by someone he considered a friend, two days before his 19th birthday. None of the so-called encouraging words were helpful because the main question we all had was, ” Why him, he was just a ‘baby?” Men, afterwards we look back and see that even though it was a sad occasion it brought our family closer together and reevaluate our relationships with each other and with God. We also gained a new family member not soon after in his daughter, who could be his twin.
I so needed to read this right now. Gud velsigne deg.
This is so encouraging..God has never failed and he is not about to start with any of his children..we just need to keep hope alive and believe that He will never leave us nor forsake us. romerne 8:18 says for I reckon that the sufferings of this present times are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us..amen
Yet again, I have been cut to heart!I am ill at the moment and I was wondering why the Lord was letting these things happened to me. In my boredom I was going through the FB pages of my favourite celebs and I came across your website. Alas! The Lord answered my prayer and spoke directly to me! (Through Trip) It’s like Trips messages are tailored just for me (That’s because the Holy Spirit is using him to minister to us)….God always rebukes me through him (his music,blog posts and sermons) I think I was focusing to much on this hotel that isn’t my home. So now I know why I am ill (what the Lord is trying to teach me through this trial)…God continue to bless you Trip Lee, it’s amazing that your ministry reaches us (the saints in Africa) and though we’ve never met, I feel like I know you personally because I can relate to everything you say. And because your music really rebukes, encourages, corrects, teaches me!….. Vær velsigned!!!!!!!!!
yeasss
i get this
egentlig
i feel it
bless you BroTrip
“Our humility is more important than our happiness.” That really hit me man. Keep making that good music and God bless.
I am appreciative and encouraged by this…amen!