7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you... 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. The Word of God is complete, God's word brings me my only consulation. To know that I am to go joyfully to whatever God wills for me is hard at times. All I have to do is remember my thoughts of former days, how sorrow and suffering kept me company in my midnight hour. I have to keep in mind that in my worst moments of sin when I was sure there was no forgiveness. In these moment's I remember "God's grace is sufficient for me, for his strength is made perfect in my weakness." I remember that I carry about with me always the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus might be revealed in me. No matter what trials might come my way I can rest assured in his promises to me "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
I like John Piper and his "Christian Hedonism". I completely agree with his thinking, we are commanded to rejoice in all things. James 1:2 says to count it all joy when we face various trials..." Romans 5:2-4 says "We rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God. Not only so, we rejoice in our sufferings..." Philippians 4:4 says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Paul's prayer for the Roman church in Romans 15:13 is May the God of hope fill you with "all" joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Trusting in Jesus is a moment by moment venture. I write these words and I quote these scriptures as one who has no other comfort in this life. Even if I where not to recieve any of the promises made to me, would it not be greater still to be spent for the truth? To say that I lived serving the one true God, there is no higher calling. I accept my pain joyfully knowing that God has my best interest in mind. I know that nothing lame or halt can enter into the kingdom of heaven, nothing impure can enter. So it only makes sense that he is refining me and purifying me in the consuming fire of his presense. All there is left for me to do is moment by moment to lift up empty hands of faith to a God who is there. I was born spiritually, which is important just as my physical birth was important, for without being born I would not have the life I live today. Trusting God that my sins have been forgiven and I am saved is Justification. Once we move on from this point what is important is our Sancification, meaning our day by day, moment by moment reliance upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. No matter how far we go in our Christian faith we cannot outgrow our need for Jesus, In fact I find the opposite to be true the more I serve the more I need him.