All for Jesus

Here’s a truth that is unpopular, yet it’s the truth nonetheless: Behind every great person of God is great affliction.

I dare you. Pick your favorite Bible person from any of the 31,175 scriptures and see if you can find one man or woman, no matter how close they were to God, who did not have pain.

Moses didn’t have many friends, and his own wife didn’t like him. David was falsely accused by Saul and lived with the consequences of his adulterous actions by raising a totally dysfunctional family. Elijah dealt with loneliness and isolation. A social outcast, Elisha was bald and people made fun of him for it — just ask the young men who were mauled by a bear for mocking his chrome dome!

Great men and women of God through the ages were not immune to pain. Many come from abusive backgrounds, tremendous poverty, and prejudice. Some struggled with children who couldn’t walk, others with children who refused to walk with God. All faced constant scrutiny and criticism. All were expected to do and be more than they were capable of being.

E.W. Bullinger struggled with paralysis. Spurgeon wrestled with depression and stress. Billy Graham dealt with a debilitating disease for many years near the end of his life. Still, they have preached powerful sermons, seen many mighty miracles, and reached untold millions with the message of healing through Jesus Christ.

Just because you’ve never heard them complain does not mean they don’t have great affliction. It means, by God’s grace, they are greater than their affliction. It’s all part of the program. Can you handle the pain of life and keep going for Jesus?

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. – Psalms 121:1-2