When Tarah was in high school, she had a growing fear that she would
someday battle a serious illness. So she began to pray—asking God to spare her
from this imagined illness. Then she reached a turning point in her thinking,
and she yielded her future to God no matter what.
Years later, Tarah’s doctor found a cancerous tumor, which was
successfully treated with chemotherapy. Tarah says that because she had
entrusted her future to God, she was ready when the disease came. Her problem became an
avenue for God’s strength.
This idea of surrendering to God can be seen in Paul’s life as well. His
surrender came after the problem—“a thorn in the flesh”—had developed (2 Cor.
12:7). Paul prayed repeatedly about this difficulty, pleading for the Lord to
take it from him. But God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My
strength is made perfect in weakness” (v.9). Understanding this, Paul adopted a
positive view: “Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong”
(vv.9-10).
In facing our fears and struggles, it’s vital that we yield totally to
God. When we do, God can use our problems as an avenue for His power.
In facing our fears and struggles, it’s vital that we yield totally to God. (RBC)
