Father never promised we would live a life without daily challenges and mishaps. We tend to think that once we receive salvation and begin hearing HIM, HE will remove and eliminate those obstacles set before us but that is not the case. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 11 of his own challenges:
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my owncountrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness
The above list should provide plenty of confirmation that the obstacles don’t go away but we are empowered to overcome them instead. Paul sought THE LORD about one of his trials and THE LORD responded:
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Thankfully most of us do not have to endure similar challenges as Paul but the lesson is the same for all of us. We WILL have daily challenges but FATHER will provide HIS strength and wisdom in dealing with them. In Psalm 34 it is written:
None of us want an excess of afflictions affecting our lives but according to our calling we will be exposed to those which will help us gain perspective when we minister to others. We must be patient as we endure these afflictions knowing that FATHER is very aware of the challenges before us. Let our faith become fully mature through the challenges we each face.