The private​ struggle of a godly man: Jesus – Part 2

Newsflash! Everybody has issues and that should not be strange to hear. After all, Jesus said, “And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, BUT you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world.” Read John 16:33 (TPT). The truth is this, as long as you and I have breath in us, trouble and sorrows are inevitable.

Scripture says, “And since we are His true children, we qualify to share all His treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God Himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that He is and all that He has. We will experience being co-glorified with Him provided that we accept His sufferings as our own.” Romans 8:17 (TPT). Brothers and sisters, as long as you and I are in Christ, it is inevitable that we all will experience private struggles; one which only God alone can bring us through! And have you noticed or observed that one can experience a spiritual high, and the next few moments can possibly be one of the most challenging or even dry spells in one’s life? Jesus went through this process.

“One day, Jesus came from the Galilean village of Nazareth and had John immerse Him in the Jordan River. The moment Jesus rose up out of the water, John saw the heavenly realm split open, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested upon Him. At the same time, a voice spoke from heaven, saying: “You are my Son, my cherished one, and my greatest delight is in You!” Immediately after this, He was compelled by the Holy Spirit to go into an uninhabited desert region. He remained there in the wilderness for forty days, enduring the ordeals of Satan’s tests. He encountered wild animals, but also angels who appeared and ministered to His needs.” Read Mark 1:9-13 (TPT).

Christ as our model and Saviour experienced great struggles in the course of fulfilling His ministry on earth. Listen to this, “Then He walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, He threw Himself facedown on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan for me.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to strengthen Him.” Read Matthew 26:39 (TPT).

Beloved, we have the luxury of reading Christ’s story as the Bible documents every event in His ministry. He faced private struggles:

• Led by the Holy Spirit after His affirmation into the wilderness to be tested by the devil, and being hungry.
• “He prayed even more passionately, like one being sacrificed, until He was in such intense agony of spirit that His sweat became drops of blood, dripping onto the ground.” Luke 22:44 (TPT).

O, but I am so glad because God had a better plan as the Bible says, “An angel from heaven appeared and ministered to His needs.” Beloved, you are not alone in that private struggle; the presence of God is available to strengthen and minister to your every need. Glory to God, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

This beautiful quote sums it up for me, “Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only – My utmost for His Highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone.” Oswald Chambers.

My Father, thank You for sending the person of the Holy Spirit to minister to my every need. Thank You because I am in Christ, and my hope is in Your word, and my confident trust is in Your promises.

We write. You read. Be encouraged.