Not Exempt, But Blessed
By: Kristen L. McNulty
Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.
Recently I was facing a problem in my life and I prayed for God to remove the problem completely. I prayed hard, as did many of the people in my life, but the problem wasn't miraculously removed from my life. It had to be dealt with in a complicated and somewhat painful way. As I felt disappointment that my prayer wasn't answered I realized that my attitude was one of entitlement. This is an attitude that we as Christians can develop, believing that we are deserving special treatment from God and that somehow because we are saved, we are also the holders of a get out of problems and pain for free card. That couldn't be further from the truth. Our salvation does not exempt us from problems or pains or trials on this earth.
We are not exempt from praying for healing but remaining ill.
We are not exempt from having a spouse leave and file for divorce.
We are not exempt from losing our jobs.
We are not exempt from being betrayed.
We are not exempt from problems in our relationships.
We are not exempt from facing temptation.
Even Heroes of the Faith Faced Difficulties
Joseph was not exempt from false imprisonment. Paul was not exempt from a thorn in the flesh. David was not exempt from death threats. Stephen was not exempt from persecution that led to death. Noah wasn’t exempt from the flood. Adam and Eve were not exempt from losing a son. John was not exempt from being exiled. Jesus was not exempt from the cross.
But because Jesus was not exempt from the cross, you and I don’t need to be exempt from facing trials and temptations and difficulties in our lives. Why? Because we have been forgiven through the blood of Jesus and sealed with the Holy Spirit and that means that no matter what we experience in this life we don’t experience alone. We might not be exempt, but we are blessed when we do face difficulty.
Not Exempt, But Blessed
Blessed to have a God who will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Blessed to have a God who is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1-2)
Blessed to have the gift of peace that surpasses all understanding which guards our hearts and minds no matter what we face. (Philipians 4:5-7)
Blessed to know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
Blessed with the assurance that nothing we face on this earth can separate us from the love of God, revealed in Christ Jesus His Son. (Romans 8:37-38)
And those blessings make all the difference! So today if you are facing a problem or difficulty and are surprised when God doesn't remove it from your life, remember this doesn't mean He is holding out on you and somehow you are not receiving the benefits entitled to you as a Christian. God might not remove the storm from your life, but He doesn't allow you to navigate the waves alone. Call on His name and seek Him even in this place and you will find the kind of blessings we only experience when the wind roars and the waves crash.
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
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