Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
Does following Jesus make a difference in your life?
On the one hand, the short answer is “Yes.” But the follow up question is, “Why?” or “How?”
Part of sharing our faith is just sharing the difference Jesus makes in our life.
Perhaps it’s a different course of action. Perhaps it’s a different perspective. Perhaps it’s a different reaction.
Life has many situations that present challenges and difficulties. Often times the opportunity to share Jesus is in the middle of those challenges and help someone see a different perspective than they are currently hanging on to.
Over the next few days, we’ll look at a few examples and how God can use those situations to create an opportunity for us to share our faith.
Many people at some point in their life go through a health crisis. It may be as simple as a bad cold or as harsh as terminal cancer. The natural question to ask during these times is “Why, God?” When our bodies aren’t feeling well, we perhaps think that God is punishing us, getting back at us, or wanting to torment us for some reason. A natural reaction is to think that God has it out for us and is causing the hardship for a negative purpose.
So, is that what you have discovered when you go through health challenges as a follower of Jesus? Maybe in moments you have asked God, “Why?” or felt like God was paying you back for some sin you had committed.
But then God gives you a different perspective:
2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Our health challenges are a reminder that we are not going to live forever. We are reminded that we live in a world affected by sin and its consequences. In those moments when we are weak we are invited to trust and rely on the strength of the Lord even more. The opportunity is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
So when you interact with someone going through a health challenge, perhaps you will have an opportunity to share and say something like, “This has got to be hard. I can’t imagine going through what you are going through. But here’s what I realized when I went through a similar challenge. God doesn’t hate me, but loves me. I found that my illness made me realize that this life is temporary and heaven is forever. I don’t know how this illness will turn out, but I do know that Jesus wants to walk with you and strengthen your heart every day.
Or something in your own words.
Here’s another scripture to use when going through a health or emotional crisis:
1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade… 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
How would you use this Scripture to share your faith?
All crises are intended to draw us closer to Jesus. When you have a friend or family member going through one…God is setting up an opportunity for you to share your faith!
Apply: Who is going through a health crisis? What has Jesus shared with you when you’ve gone through a health challenge that you could share with that person?
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for showing me your love, grace, hope and forgiveness when I go through challenges in my life. As I go through those situations, continue to share with me so I can share with others! AMEN.