Each of us are unique and different from others. Our achievements are presumed to be based on our capability and this determines what is possible for us. When we think about our ability, it reminds us of our skill, expertise, and proficiency. These differ from person to person, and these differences give birth to diversity. Regionalism, religiosity, and racism are also factors of diversity as we see the whole world struggling to find unity in this diverse ecosphere. Skill, expertise, and proficiency are developed based on our existing resources that someone has already brought to existence. This ultimate realization draws our attention towards God and that pleases Him.

Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

The casual usage of the word Yahweh terrified the Jews and as they were afraid of giving a phonetic sound to that word, they would write it whenever they needed to express it. The noun “God” has now become so common that even an atheist says it without meaning it. But now this practice has also been adopted by some believers and they take the Name of God in vain.

What we create or invent can’t be unique and will have traces of someone else’s work in it. The creations of God are unique, He created us in His image, with uniqueness. Our fingerprints, skills, and behavior are unique. When we all come together for worshipping the creator, His presence fills the atmosphere.

Our Ability

Based on our positions, we rank ourselves highly and feel proud of ourselves. When a problem occurs, irrespective of its severity, we always look at it as a gigantic figure. Our pride locks us within a small world, and we do not understand that the problems are everywhere and with everyone. We exaggerate a trivial problem to a higher level and think to ourselves that we are the only ones struggling in this world.

During the funeral of a young girl, I felt as if we were going through the most extraordinary pain. But after the funeral, while I was walking across the graves, I happened to notice several graves of other young people and that reminded me of the following verse.

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Against our sickness or trouble, we underestimate our ability, not like how we comprehend our skill with our achievements. Somehow, our problems are connected to our strength, as God does not permit the difficulties or the sickness more than our ability to bear it. In other words, how far we boast on our ability, that much do we allow the problems to prevail in our lives. The Bible tells us that greater our ability, the greater will be our problems, but also encourages us that the problem will never be beyond our sustainability.

Paul depended on his strength and prayed thrice for God to remove a thorn from his life. God answered him saying “My grace is sufficient for you”. Immediately Paul realized that not his strength but his weakness draws the power of God towards him. When we are weak, God does not allow problems mightier than our feeble strength can bear.

Strength to Endure

Our Father in Heaven is the ultimate answer for all our problems, and Jesus tells us that He is the way to His Father (John 14:6). Acknowledging His strength in our successes allow us to access the way to our Father (Deuteronomy 8:18). We have to accept our weaknesses so that His grace may sustain us. The lesser our strength, the greater will be His strength.

He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Our God is a comforter and nothing can grieve us when we receive His comfort. If we feel pain and murmur, it reveals that we have not yet received the comfort of our comforter. To receive His comfort, we have to put our trust on Him. We have to experience His protection in our helpless situation,and only then can we understand His faithfulness in sustaining us. Paul had a first-hand experience of God’s protection during the times of his peril.

We are pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, yet not to despair; pursued, yet not forsaken; struck down, yet not destroyed;

2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Exit Strategy

While we think about our escape, movies about escaping from prison come to our mind. The Bible talks about the redemption of our soul from eternal death. When our soul is delivered, it does not fear what our flesh usually fears. That is why Paul and Silas were able to sing praises while at the prison and their physical deliverance followed. Redemption of our soul precedes our physical healing or deliverance.

Through the redemption of our souls, our problems will become lighter and lighter. Long sufferings will become a momentary one. Thus we escape from the tyranny of fear and embrace victory. If we compare our unprecedented problems with the priceless reward awaiting us, then we will be able to thank our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57