Starve the flesh, Feed the Spirit

“No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV

The church I grew up in did not participate in the practice of giving up something for the period of time leading up to Easter, Lent.  Some of my friends back then did and I know people now who do so through their church, and I know some people who do so individually. 

I am not terribly gifted in the area of patience and waiting.  I guarantee my wife is laughing at that sentence.  That is probably why I struggle giving up something.  Back in the day when I knew what exercise was, I used to agree with the saying “No pain no gain”.  Exercise hurts.  Maybe that is why I don’t do enough of it, which ironically means that I have pain due to lack of exercise.  But when I think about the amount of pain I used to put myself through just to get better, I wonder what happened to that determination.  In essence, I used to be willing to give up comfort knowing that it did not guarantee that I would be successful.  In a sport, as an example, it would only give me a chance, but I was willing to endure almost anything for a reward that was not guaranteed. 

For the most part, humans are spoiled.  We have more than we need.  We have food on shelves to buy and gas to make our cars go.  We have air conditioning and Tempurpedic mattresses, jobs that pay us money, houses, cars, phones, coffee and a lot more.  There is nothing “wrong” with any of those things.  But we do not tend to list those as easily as we can mentally call up the trouble spots – our struggles and fights. 

I’ve got a brother in Christ who is struggling right now.  He needs back surgery, a hip replacement and maybe a new knee or two.  His pain is severe.  It’s hard to hear because I cannot physically help him.  All I can do is pray for him.  But, I can also ask you to help.  I think God understands being ambiguous about a prayer request, especially since I have not asked my friend if he would mind me throwing his name in.  So, would you please add him to your prayer list?

Surgery is eight days away.  This battle has been years long and like any endurance race the finish line looks like it is a long, long way off.  Patience, endurance, pain relief, healing, recovery are all good topics.  I also think just asking God to use the struggle is important.  I think that makes us look for ways He may be using our story.  Spiritual eyes lifted up see more.

If you are in a battle physically, mentally or spiritually, tell Him you are willing for Him to use it.  God does not need our permission.  But I believe that He does want our alignment.  The person God needs you to tell about Jesus may already be in your life, or they may be waiting just around the corner. 

Maybe the issue is whether or not our pain, or sacrifice is voluntary or not.  If we think of it as just random pain it is harder to endure.  But just like exercise physically gives you a chance to succeed, spiritual exercise gives you a chance for a better relationship with God, even if you do not see the purpose for something.  We have absolutely no idea why most things happen in life, but volunteering spiritually is much better than feeling like we are being randomly dragged through life. 

Jesus volunteered.  He gave up everything for a chance to have a relationship with us. I think He wants us to volunteer – our entire life.  But if I am looking for an explanation from God, I may not get that. 

Why then, in life, do I lack enthusiasm to do without something?  Jesus gave up the perfection of heaven to come save me, maybe I could give up sugar for a better relationship with Jesus. 

Challenge:  Denying the physical to accentuate the spiritual does not mean pain stops.  I think it just means denying pain the victory it seeks.  Ask God to point out something you may have too tight a grip on to let go if He asked.  Consider being willing to endure the pain of physical or emotional issues for the gain of spiritual exercise and let God have your issue.

Rick Claiborn