Topic: Let Others Be Encouraged By Your Scars [TREM Devotional 7 November 2018]
“Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;” 2 Corinthians 11:25 (NKJV)
There are people who tell you that ever since they have been married they have never exchanged words with their spouses and they never get angry with each other. That is not true. If you really want me to learn from you don’t just tell me the stories of victories. Tell me also some of the defeats you encountered, the challenges you passed through, the difficulties you encountered and survived so that I can learn from you and also survive.
That is why Paul is different. Paul will tell you I suffered shipwreck, I was abandoned, I was mocked and I was hungry but the grace of God sustained me. I have heard some people say they want to build a tower and all the money needed is already there. That is not the Bible! The last time I read the bible, it says: “The just shall live by faith”. In other words, I had to believe God for the building. So, for you to tell me the project was smooth, then that vision is not from God. If it is, it will be bigger than your money; so that you can fall back on God and say Lord help me.
When you tell people the truth, you are simply empowering them. And that is what sets people free. But when you tell them you have never been tempted, you’ve never passed through difficulties or challenges, then you are lying. There will be opportunities to fall into immorality, opportunity to fall into stealing money or arrogance, but you will teach people this is how you survived. These are the things you did. So, many times you see people presenting themselves as larger than life. Be careful, such a person is not telling the whole truth. Even Jesus opened His body; He said these are the scars. It is not easy.
Further reading: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; 12:5-11
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Jeremiah 40-42; Evening- Hebrews 4
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
