The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. – John 10:10
How can we believe that this scripture is true, when we live with constant pain? It’s almost impossible to hold to God’s goodness when the hits just keep coming and our body and mind are already battered beyond recognition.
Is this the abundant life you speak of, Jesus? This? Really??
This kind of questioning, which I’m guilty of now and then, comes from a fleshy place. Do you know what I mean?
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace – Romans 8:5-6
I’m a bit obsessed with gaining abundant health. I love me some abundant relief. Count me in for the abundant ease and wealth. Where do I sign?
But that is such a very limited viewpoint, isn’t it?
Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? – Galatians 3:3
We have access to the Great I AM, and we’re requesting only that He fix this earthly body? That He take care only of my worries for this week?
For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh – Philippians 3:3
No, I want to aim higher. I want more. And I need to understand that the Jesus who uttered these words knew what was in store for us, and He Himself called it Abundance.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. – 1 Peter 3:18
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. – Galatians 6:8-9
Father God, drag my reluctant heart back to the beautiful truth. Thank You for giving us Your Spirit, so that we may live unfettered by these earthly pains and cares. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
Amen! Well said. Apologies for the cliche, but it applies here: Jesus came to make us holy, not happy/painfree. While I too would love me some relief, I need to keep my eyes fixed on the true goal – righteousness. He has worked in my suffering as he has promised to work all things for good (Rom 8:28). Thank you for writing this!
This is a great reminder. I live with Chronic Illness. Each day I wake up wishing I didn’t have to deal with the pain, the weakness, and the fatigue. I long for my life to be more confortable and easy. But you have such wisdom here. God is calling us to something much bigger than mere comfort. He is calling us to Himself. I am in process of learning this lesson and probably will be until I die. Thank you so much for pointing us/ me back to God’s words.
Stopping by from the #RaRaLinkup.
Amy Talbott recently posted…O Death Where is Thy Sting
Love this song, this post and your beautiful heart.
I long for you to have the exact same things your heart longs for and I pray fervently for you to experience healing in your mortal body, while understanding that through all your suffering God is sovereignly at work in your heart,,,,, and I will keep praying that way until He shows me otherwise…… He promises that goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives….and I pray that into your life with passionate fervour.
Love you Shelly.
The Lord never ceases to amaze me! Just last week I had written a blog post about the abundant life spoken of by Jesus and even after an in depth study of that truth; I read your blog post about that very same verse and I was struck by yet another revelation.
It was just how you recorded the following: “This kind of questioning, which I’m guilty of now and then, comes from a fleshy place. Do you know what I mean?
For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace – Romans 8:5-6”
I’m sure I’ve read this verse countless times over the years, but when you introduced it by talking about it “coming from a fleshy place”, I saw it with new eyes. I always thought of the “works of the flesh” when I read that verse, but now I see more specifically as “my own selfish desires – SELF”. Even further still, I was so struck that the mind set on SELF certainly does not bring peace. We may think it does, but in the end it always brings heartache.
I am so thankful that your post was before mine as the Lord spoke to me in a profound way as described above.
Thanks for sharing!
Wow, Karen. Thank you for taking the time to let me know about this. I love when God gets our attention like that. <3 Heart Hugs, Shelly
Oh friend. I don’t have to face the same things that you do each day, but I do find my reluctant heart questioning sometimes… Seriously, God– THIS mess is abundant?
But when I am truly walking fully committed to Him, there IS abundance. Which only comes after reckless obedience and submission. Praying for you always, Shelly!
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I join you in this messy search for abundance…Let us live without borders!