Again a reminder, no, a screaming proclamation, about human reaction to oppression, arose while reading some more C. H. Spurgeon.
“Behold, how independent of outward circumstances the Holy Ghost can make the Christian! What a bright light may shine within us when it is all dark without! How firm, how happy, how calm, how peaceful we may be… Do you expect to suffer long nights of languishing and days of pain? O be not sad! That bed may become a throne to you. You little know how every pang that shoots through your body may be a refining fire to consume your dross – a beam of glory to light up the secret parts of your soul… Christians can be happier than philosophers when all outward causes of rejoicing are withdrawn. In Thee, my God, my heart shall triumph, come what may of ills without! By thy power, O blessed Spirit, my heart shall be exceeding glad, though all things should fail me here below” (“Morning and Evening”, April 8, evening, unedited).
I have written previously about how suffering causes our world to contract around us.
But our perception could expand if we became so totally focussed on Jesus, the Saviour from sin and pain, that all our life force abandoned our condition for the comfort of the Christ Who raises us above every trouble!
“Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, because you are with me, I fear no harm. Your rod and your staff give me courage” (Psalm 23:4 God’s Word©).
When I can’t get it, God can’t wait to give it!
+++++++
This Lent I was led on a pilgrimage. On it I discovered the lifetime of suffering I had lived. The journey was for me, but about Jesus. Now there is learning which I wish to share as Lent continues.
April 8, 2014
nopew
viewoutsidethepew 
4 responses to ““Independent of Outward Circumstances””
nopew
April 11th, 2014 at 20:57
Well said. As the hymn says, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus…”
Peace
LikeLike
papapound
April 11th, 2014 at 20:47
Most of my pain in the realm of the church or the work world resulted from my blindness or not trusting Christ to lead me through. However, all of our pain Jesus uses to form us into the sons of God that He desires. It is all worth it. It is all worth the pain because we are perfected through it.
LikeLike
nopew
April 9th, 2014 at 10:51
Indeed and yes. It has been so easy to get wrapped up in “my” troubles I forget they are God’s troubles – to deal with!
Peace
LikeLike
kerrichronicles
April 9th, 2014 at 10:48
“Our perception could expand if we became so totally focussed on Jesus, the Saviour from sin and pain, that all our life force abandoned our condition for the comfort of the Christ Who raises us above every trouble!” thank you for this! So so true and when struggling we need to remind ourselves of this and call on him first, in all situations.
LikeLike