Young People's Group

DON’T TRUST IN YOURSELF, TRUST GOD

by Pastor Mitch
September 30, 2012

Talking About Our Problems

“I can handle this!” This is the self-assured phrase that we often say to ourselves at the confluence of stressful problems. We reluctantly realize how the unpredictable difficulties of life can sometimes shake us at our roots. And yet, because of pride, we often choose to put on a veil so that we can undetectably hide our deeper concerns and the emotional mixture of fear and franticness. The apostle Paul, despite being a spiritual giant, candidly wrote of the unnerving and overwhelming challenges that he had to encounter in life and ministry

“For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.” 
2 Corinthians 1:8

The apostle Paul was most willing to share about his troubles and how he did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant of his stressful predicaments. Paul went through a time of tribulation that burdened him beyond what he could imagine and what he could take. He was in great despair for his life. Even as Paul shared about his problems, let’s also learn to talk about our own problems.

Having A Definite Trust In God

“Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us” 
2 Corinthians 1:9-10

As we go through the overwhelming challenges of life, what should we do?

1. Choose To Trust In God

Paul chose to trust in God because he knew that He has the power to raise the dead. Even if Paul had to die in ministry, he knew that he would definitely be in heaven. Thus, he was unafraid of dying. There is purpose in the “traumatizing” situations of life. They are meant to help us go beyond trusting in self and to learn to trust in God. When we trust only in man or self, we would end up like a shrub in the desert (Jeremiah 17:6). Let’s not trust in our own human resources. Let’s fully trust God’s.

2. Complete Trust In God

Paul had complete trust in the Lord’s help and deliverance. He had seen in the past how the Lord had delivered him from the clutches of death. He believed that God was still delivering him and that He would continue to deliver him in the future. Paul had fullness of trust in the Lord. Young people, let’s also learn to have this complete trust in God with regard to His help now and in the future.

Taking The Time To Pray For Each Other

“You also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.” 
2 Corinthians 1:11

Paul also wrote of how the Corinthian church’s prayers for him really helped. They were entreating on behalf of Paul and their prayers for him made a difference in helping him in his time of need. Their prayers aided Paul in being delivered from those moments of great tribulation. As we face our own set of challenges in school, at work or at home, let’s remember to pray for each other. Let’s intercede for each other that when our prayers are answered, it can bring thanksgiving to the Lord. Let’s believe that our prayers do make a difference in people’s lives.

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