No Surprises Here

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1) “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The definition for burden is something that is emotionally difficult to bear. Burden is a source of great worry or stress. Burdened, stressed out and tied up emotionally is not the life we are called to experience in Christ. We all are slaves to something regardless of our circumstances. Our trials are relative to our own threshold of faith so we should not play the victim role thinking we are suffering more than others. The Bible states over and over that we will have trouble in this world. Stacking our burdens and trials against the trials of others is not a godly focus but a self-focus.

Take note that in these verses above the underlying theme is we will suffer if we are on this earth. We are called to a life of faith and love bottom line. “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Gal. 5:6b. Another truth is that the only way to live and move through these troubles is by faith in God.

Our individual slavery to whatever we are experiencing will keep us from experiencing the free flow of the Holy Spirit. When we are in bondage, our attention is on our lusts, desires, grief, anger, entitlement, bitterness…the list goes on and on. All slavery takes our focused attention away from God and His work.

“If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36‘Nothing outside of you can disturb the freedom Christ gives. His freedom can endure.’ Mind of Christ, p. 56.

Do not be surprised…Stand firm….Take heart!