Title: Use Misfortune
Contents
5I am going through Macedonia, and I will come to you after I have passed through Macedonia. 6If I stay with you and overwork it, you will send me where I am going. 7Now I do not want to see you on the way I am passing by I would like to stay with you for a while, if it will be granted.
1. Words that begin
“Why do misfortunes happen to me who believes in God?” You must have had serious concerns. There must have been times when I was troubled by misfortunes such as sickness, difficult problems, failure or defeat, slander or slander, injustice or ruin, because I thought I believed well in my own way. There have been times when you may have been confused whether God is turning away from you or whether he is not all-knowing and omnipotent. There have been times when you may be confused as to whether it is better to keep believing or quitting.
The causes of unhappiness are very diverse and mixed. However, whatever the cause of my unhappiness, what really matters is how I use it. Ask God, “Why did I have misfortune as your child?” It is also necessary to ask, "Why didn't you prevent misfortune from coming to me?" And you need to ask questions. However, the really important thing is to accept the unhappiness that is happening anyway, and ask God, “How is it God’s will for me to take advantage of this misery?” and asking questions. Our God never wants our children's lives to end in misery.
2. Paul's Changed Mission Journey Plan
Paul, a great apostle and man of unmatched faith, did not live a life free from misfortune, but a life that took advantage of countless misfortunes.
Surprisingly, it was the Corinthian Christians who were founded by the apostle Paul as a missionary who brought various misfortunes to the apostle Paul. Those members ungratefully denied Paul's apostleship, attacked him personally, and were skeptical about the gospel. Not only that, but he had almost all the problems that could arise in the church, making it a source of misfortune for the apostle Paul. However, the Apostle Paul never gave up on them, sent an ambassador of reconciliation, and sent letters filled with the Holy Spirit several times, which had a significant effect. Among them, the remaining letters are 1 and 2 Corinthians.
The Apostle Paul described his missionary travel plans that were changed at the end of the book of 1 Corinthians. That is, contrary to the original plan, we do not want to see the Corinthians along the way, and if the Lord desires, we will go to Corinth after passing through Macedonia and spend the winter staying with them. Also, after the mistletoe is over, we will go to the next mission field with the help of the Corinthians. The false teachers of the Corinthian church severely criticized Paul's change of plan and propagated that he could not trust Paul's person, his plans, or doctrines. Wherever there are peacemakers, there are those who create strife and misery.
The apostle Paul is a fighter of faith who can turn suffering into joy, anger into blessing, failure into success, and defeat into victory. In short, he was a wise man of faith who knew how to use misfortune. Please believe that the secret is spiritual union with the Lord.
Do you know what is the most striking example of the apostle Paul, who knows how to take advantage of misfortune in the Lord? It is the written revelation of God's revelation. Did you not write 1 and 2 Corinthians, etc., because of the denial of Paul's apostleship, the gospel, and many other problems among the Corinthians, who are the children of the apostle Paul's faith? Since it was written before A.D. 100, for about 1,900 years until now, how many people have realized the apostleship and the truth of the gospel to salvation, and how many problems of many churches and people have been solved for about 1,900 years. would you like Is that all? Don't you know how many years it will make history in the future?
This is a true story from the November issue of Message.
There are people who have burned more than 65% of their body in a motorcycle accident. For a while, I couldn't eat on my own, and I had to go to the bathroom with the help of others. After six months of intense training, I started flying light airplanes. However, four years later, a light plane crashed, breaking 12 ribs and permanently paralyzing the lower body. He was elected mayor of the city where he lived, despite his burnt face. The motto at that time is interesting. “There is no point in pulling out a handsome face again. After that, I got married and got my PhD.
His moving and strong life became known to the world, and he was featured in the 'New York Times', 'Time' and 'Paraade' magazines.
“Before, I could do ten thousand things,” he said. Because my lower body is paralyzed, I can do 9,000 things.” He also said, “The choice is up to me.”
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose.”
3. Reasons to stay in Ephesus
The Apostle Paul revealed why he had no choice but to stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, despite his missionary travel plans. “For a vast and effective door has been opened to me, and there are many who oppose it.”
Second, there are many believers and unbelievers who hinder and persecute Apostle Paul who preached the gospel in Ephesus, so we cannot leave quickly. We must know that there are obstacles and persecutions that come with doing God's work. However, it is a way to grow our faith personality, to inflame our patience and fighting spirit of love, and to bless us.
In fact, the decisive reason Paul did not leave soon was because he was following the will of the Lord. The Apostle Paul did not question whether the conditions were favorable or unfavorable in evangelism. It was always the Lord's will for him to question. What do we do when we are in mission or when we are unhappy?
4. Conclusion
Even doing the Lord's work, such as evangelism, brings misery. Ask God, “Why did I have misfortune as your child?” or “Why didn’t you prevent misfortune from coming to me?” and need to ask. However, the really important thing is to accept the unhappiness that is happening anyway, and ask God, “How is it God’s will for me to take advantage of this misery?” and asking questions. Our God never wants our children's lives to end in misery.