Acting Right When Things Are Wrong

Acting Right When Things Are Wrong

With Bishop Ronald K. Powell

“Whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is
the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.”
1 John 5:4

INTRODUCTION
As Christians, we delight in the thought of sharing in Christ’s glory,
but what about sharing in His suffering?
Jesus took care of the death penalty once and for all so we don’t
ever have to worry about that again. But the Bible teaches that we
must suffer times of trial if we are to share in the glory.

Is it worth it?
Read what Paul says in Romans 8:18: …For I
consider that the sufferings of this present time (this present
life) are not worth being compared with the glory that is about
to be revealed to us and in us and for us and conferred on us!

Many of us think that we suffer because of our circumstances. We
believe that if our circumstances would change, we’d be able to act
Right.

But God wants us to become so mature and stable that we act
right even when none of our circumstances are good.

There are different levels of faith, and most of the time we want to
use our faith to get rid of a problem. But sometimes God’s plan is
for us to exercise a higher level of faith that will carry us through
life’s challenges. This requires even greater faith than being
delivered from a situation.

Too often we marvel at the delivering power of God and overlook
His keeping, strengthening and enabling power.

Although there are many reasons why Christians suffer, I would
like to address what I believe are eight of the most common
reasons why there is suffering in our lives.

#1: Ignorance of the Word
Many Christians suffer because they’re too busy seeking carnal
knowledge instead of the Word of God. The Lord Himself said,
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (Hosea 4:6).

Paul was an educated man, with a wealth of carnal knowledge.
When he realized the importance of spiritual knowledge, he said,
…I resolved to know nothing (to be acquainted with nothing,
to make a display of the knowledge of nothing, and to be
conscious of nothing) among you except Jesus Christ (the
Messiah) and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Like Paul, we need to realize the importance of learning spiritual
things, for Galatians 6:8 says, …he who sows to his own flesh
(lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and
ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from
the Spirit reap eternal life.

#2: Disobedience – the trait of being unwilling to obey
Once we know the Word of God, we have a responsibility to be
obedient to it. Too many of us intend to be obedient, but put it off.
Even procrastination is disobedience, and it can cause us to suffer.
James 4:7 gives us good advice: Submit yourselves therefore to
God….

When God tells me to do something, I find it helpful to
write it down. This serves as a reminder that I must be obedient if I
want God’s blessings.

If you are willing and obedient, you shall
eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).

#3: To Purify and Test Your Faith
Sometimes people seem surprised that they must go through a time
of trial or suffering. Perhaps they’ve been faithful to learn and obey
the Word, and the trials still come. Sometimes trials come simply to
test and purify our faith.

[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though
now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer
temptations, so that [the genuineness] of your faith may be
tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the
perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This
proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise
and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the
Anointed One) is revealed (1 Peter 1:6-7).

#4: A Need for Brokenness
The word brokenness may strike fear in some people, but it’s
really not a bad word. God doesn’t desire to break our spirits, but
He wants to break that outer shell, the flesh that prevents Him from
being all, He wants to be in and through us. He wants to break off
things like pride, rebellion, selfishness and independence. God
wants us to be totally dependent on Him, and suffering seems to
bring us to that point.

However, having to depend on God shouldn’t cause us to feel
sorry for ourselves. I once said, “Oh, God, I’m so lonely, and I
don’t have anybody but You.” And the Holy Spirit said, “Poor
Ron, you’re just stuck with God.” I’ve discovered that having only
God is a good position to be in.

#5: To Build Compassion
Compassion is born out of experiencing similar problems.

The Bible says, …we do not have a High Priest Who is unable 

to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with 

our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of 

temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as 

we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). 

It comforts me to know that Jesus understands me and has
compassion.

Going through trials and experiencing God’s deliverance better
equips us to minister to others. Our pain is never wasted; it brings
about compassion that reaches out to other hurting people by
saying, “I’ve been there, and God brought me through it, and He’ll
do the same for you.”

#6: To Encourage Others
The apostle Paul said there were many things that God allowed him
to go through simply as object lessons for other people. …I want
you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what
[has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only
served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the
[spreading of the] good news (the Gospel) …. most of the
brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of
my chains and are much bolder to speak and publish
fearlessly the Word of God… (Philippians 1:12-14).

Even in Paul’s imprisonment, his stability and ability to be used of
God was evident.
If we’re to minister to others, we too must face some adverse
circumstances. But if we stand in faith and confidence, God will
bring us through to victory, and we’ll be a great encouragement to
others in the process.

#7: Because of the Word
Sometimes we suffer attacks from the enemy simply because of
our involvement with the Word of God.
Mark 4:17 speaks of those who hear the Word and endure it for
a while, …then when trouble or persecution arises on account
of the Word, they immediately are offended (become
displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall
Away.

When someone receives the Word of God, Satan delights in
coming immediately to try to steal what’s been sown in their heart.
He knows the Word will strengthen us and help us live a victorious
Christian life, and he wants to stop it if he can. So, it’s imperative to
guard the Word in your heart and resist the devil from stealing it
away from you.

#8: Because of Living in the World
Christians may also face trials and suffer simply because we live in
a world full of sin.
But Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you
may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you
have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be
of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain,
undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived
it of power to harm you and have conquered it for
you]” (John 16:33).

What a promise! Understanding the reason for our suffering and
having the assurance of the final glory we’ll share should make it a
little easier to enjoy our lives…even during the times of sharing in
Suffering.

Conclusion:
And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also:
heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His
inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if
we are to share His glory (Romans 8:17).