Ever had a crash course that created more competence on some level? Maybe you are in a crash course now…

Maybe a physical one where an illness threatens your function.

Maybe a psychological one where doubts threaten your soul.

Maybe a financial one where loss of money is threatening your security.

Maybe an emotional one where loss of happiness is threatening your joy.

Maybe a spiritual one where loss of connection with God is threatening your relationship with Him.

Maybe something else brought you — or is bringing you to your knees in confession, repentance, forgiveness of yourself and others. Yet in this trial you find you are ultimately in a constant intimate worship only you and the Father of Lights can identify.

It’s so personal, so inexplicable that to speak of it does it no justice, and to be silent feels like stealing opportunities to shout God to the mountaintops!

Maybe you are one of those who has been ultimately blessed after an overload of trials.

An overload of trials a blessing?

Yes.

Were it not for Job’s pressing and the extremes he went through, when we are pressed by every side and come out victorious at the other end, we can shout with Christ through the experience of the apostle Paul…

We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. – II Corinthians 4:8-10

It’s an exercise in frustration and un-Godly guilt to compare one’s sufferings to another to find relief. It’s like saying, “though I am bearing my heavy cross(es), I will bear yours to lighten my load.” Only Christ can lighten personal loads spiritually, psychologically, emotionally and physically.

We bear as we can, but not while overloaded.

But we can encourage with a word or with prayer.

We are human.

It is good to find inspiration in those who are in greater trials. Yet, it is not good to take on more than we can handle without first seeking God’s wisdom.

It is us who need to listen more closely and learn to say “no.” No to abuses and misuses.

Even in Christ’s humanity, he bore his cross alone, no one else’s.

He will equip us perfectly to not only bear our cross, but simultaneously run our race.

…Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.  – John 16:24b

…Run in such a way that you may obtain [the prize of your salvation]. – I Corinthians 9:24b

The great things about crash courses are the wisdom and equipping that come after attending school and taking some exams.

With Christ as Mentor, we always win.

Amazing!