Topic: Promises for Painful Times [Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 28 December 2019]

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Yesterday we learned about brokenness as a tool the Lord uses to mold us into His likeness. God’s followers desire this outcome, yet the process is a painful one. That’s why the Lord gives encouragement in a number of ways.

First, God disciplines with love. Just as parents redirect their children’s behavior out of love, the heavenly Father has our best interest in mind when correcting us. It’s not out of anger that He allows suffering.

Second, God gives us hope through His Son. He doesn’t want our suffering to debilitate us, but when it feels like too much to bear, the promise of eternity and Christ’s presence keeps us from despair (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our Father wants us to grow in Christlikeness, but He doesn’t want to break our spirit.

Third, God brings clarity through difficult times. As we learn that His ways are higher than ours, we gain greater understanding of His amazing attributes. At the same time, our self-awareness starts to sharpen, and old unproductive thought patterns begin to fade.

Fourth, God promises that He’ll never desert us. Brokenness can bring a feeling of emptiness as we are losing things that once captured our loyalty. But our Father replaces those with Himself—and He is vastly more satisfying and dependable.

Fifth, the Lord is patient. He knows our background and thought patterns but also sees the end result and knows the journey is worth it.

When you face hardship, remember God’s promises and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. He wants to help you reach your full potential.

Bible in One Year: Revelation 5-8