“We had received the sentence of death so that we would not rely on ourselves but on God.” (2 Corinthians 1:9) “To keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me–to keep me from exalting myself.” (2 Corinthians 12:7) I don’t trust easily or naturally. I don’t know anyone who does. Like Paul, most of us tend to trust only ourselves, listen only to our own counsel until God makes life “complicated” and forces a new approach. Apart from problems/pains/pressures, many of us would never “drop our nets and follow Him”. “Before I was afflicted, I went astray. Now I obey your word” (Psalm 119:67) The greek word for “problem” is a combination of two. Pro + balein literally means “to throw forward”. Perhaps God never loves us more than when He makes us uncomfortable–uncomfortable enough to consider (need) a brand new way to live–a life of trust. By throwing us forward, He is teaching us to trust.
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