Understanding the purpose of challenges

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2 Cor 12: 7 - 10 (NKJV)
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 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. 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.

In a previous post Jesus has given you great peace, we were reminded that we live in a world that is loaded with troubles, challenges, distresses, storms; and Jesus Himself acceded to this when He said "in this world, you will have tribulation.." (John 16:33).
In this post however, we seek to establish the purpose of these challenges. This is because understanding the essence of the storms of life is paramount to having peace as against worrying in the midst of a storm.  

Now, we take a look at the life of Paul and his experience in our reference scripture in order for us to appreciate this lesson. 

Just like every Apostle of his day, Paul had almost a daily experience of challenges. He narrates one of it in our reference scripture that "a thorn in the flesh" was given to him, "a messenger of Satan" to buffet him. It is not clear what the thorn of flesh or messenger of Satan was, but according to Paul, he faced this challenge to prevent him from being "exalted above measure". It must have been a very disturbing and distasteful experience for him because the bible records that he prayed about it three times, but God wouldn't take it away. Paul tells us that God refused to do so to keep him humble. And it was also to prevent 'hero-worship'. When Paul understood the essence of the thorn, he was able to 'accept' that through it, the power and strength of Jesus would rest upon him. Therefore, we see that the challenge Paul experienced in this reference was for his good. And through it, the grace of God was sufficiently released to Him. 

Hence, we can allude that as Christians, most of the challenges we face is meant to make us better. They are for our spiritual maturity, for our growth. What fire is to gold, that's what challenges does for Christians; just as cutting/polishing brings out the beauty of diamond, so also challenges bring out our spiritual beauty. Spiritual maturity is obtained through challenges. You learn some inestimable values in it and through it, a lot of which are fruit of the Spirit. You learn perseverance, character and hope (Rom 5:3). You learn patience (Jam 1:3) which helps you possess your soul (Luke 21:19) and inherit God's promises (Heb 6:12). Through it, virtue (moral excellence), resilience, self-control, etc is added to our faith (2 Pet 1:5). You also learn to trust God through it.
Friends, you will pray about some of them yet it may not go away immediately as Paul found out. When he understood the essence, he was exceedingly joyful in all his tribulation (2 Cor 7:4). His advice was to "glory in tribulation knowing" the already mentioned dividends (Rom 5:3). Friends, it is important to note that Job was a much more better man after the storm he faced.

Nevertheless, God is always with us. He will not let something befall us that will destroy or consume us, neither will He allow us deal with the challenge on our own. He is faithful, He will not allow us tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Cor 10:13). He releases grace and strength in sufficiency to us during difficult times. 

Conclusively friends, if you realize that the storm is for your growth (spiritual maturity), then it's easy to "be of good cheer" (John 16:33) as Jesus asked. It's easy to "not let your heart be troubled nor afraid" knowing that God loves you exceedingly; that He causes or compels all things to work for your good. Moreover, when you realize that the challenge, "which is but for a moment, is working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor 4:17), it then becomes easy to count it all joy (Jam 1:2) because you see the storm as an opportunity for God to glorify Himself. Like they say, you cannot have a testimony without a test. God will turn all your tests to testimonies in Jesus' name, amen.

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