For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. (2 Corinthians 1:5, ESV)
Today we conclude seven reasons you feel empty. The seventh is an unexpressed faith. Our faith is not something to keep to ourselves. It is something to be lived out loud. It is something to be expressed and shared.
But we get so focused on ourselves. We become self-absorbed. And when we get so focused on ourselves, our world shrinks. Our problems become magnified. We see them as bigger than they are.
We live in a hurting world. We don’t need to look far to see the sorrow, pain, and brokenness. So many people live separated from the hope of Jesus – in the world and even in the church. As a pastor, I see great hurt in many people who attend church but don’t know the hope of Jesus. They come but don’t have faith that looks up to worship God and out to serve others.
We often miss the opportunities to serve the need because we are not looking beyond our circumstances. Our lives often become more about struggling to get by and making ourselves as comfortable as we can be. It’s not about God. It’s not about others. It is all about us.
One of the best ways to overcome our trials is to get over ourselves and start to live kingdom minded. It is to express our faith in our God. When we start serving others, our big problems start to become smaller problems. We realize God takes care of what’s hurting us so that we can help others who are hurting. God makes the thing we thought was a significant barrier to be nothing at all.
Expressing our faith is about using our gifts, talents, and abilities to meet the need. God put you here for a reason. He gave you the things he gave you for a purpose. Expressing our faith is believing that God will multiply your effort. He will take care of the things you can’t.
You may not feel that you have time to serve, but see how God multiplies the minutes when you begin to serve. You may not feel as you have money to give, but see how God multiplies his provision when you live generously. You may not feel that you have the skills necessary, but see how God equips you for the task. You may not think you can, but believe that God is more than able.
Reflection
- Do you agree that one of the most important ways to overcome your challenges is to look up to worship God and look out to serve others?
- How can you use what God has given you to serve?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for comforting me with your grace and mercy so that I can be used to comfort others through their trials. Give me faith to look beyond my circumstances to serve others and to shine your light in this world of darkness. Give me the courage to live my faith out loud. Amen.
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