Quick to say uncle

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
-Paul, in 2 Corinthians 2

I've been seeing a great deal of two extremes lately. This summer has been the end of a long dry season in my life, and I have been blessed greatly by opportunities for sweet fellowship with Jesus and some of my best friends. There have been a good number of moments lately where I've had my breath taken away by just how beautiful life can be.

At the same time, I'm watching a number of friends deal with circumstances on the opposite side of the spectrum. Losing a child or a friend, facing sickness and injury, looking ahead to long months or years of struggle and isolation-- there is no doubt in my mind that this world is broken.

But here's what hit me today: we are so quick to say uncle. We are so quick to ask for God's mercy, and to ask that He will deliver us from anything that begins to feel uncomfortable. Now, God is merciful, and I am thankful for that. But as I watch my friends face their challenges, I see pure gold start to come through in their character. Faith that hadn't had a chance to shine is being refined and coming out strong and beautiful. What do we miss if we always seek an easy life? Are we begging for deliverance from God's very means of blessing and refining us? Are we more concerned with our comfort or His glory?

"In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
-Jesus, in John 16

Taking account of you

"When you weep, your Father beholds. Like a father pities his children the Lord also pities them that fear Him. Your sigh is able to move Jehovah; your whisper can incline His ear unto you. Your prayer can stay His hands, your faith can move His arm! Oh think not that God sits on high in an eternal slumber, taking no account of you."
-Charles Spurgeon

On several occasions lately, I've been encouraged and challenged by quotes and thoughts shared by friends. This is one of those. These are my doubts and my struggles at present... praise God that even men like Spurgeon are familiar with such thoughts.