Why Me?

I love a good “chick flicks”! I love how 99.9% of the time the story ends with “Happily Ever After”…But, have you ever thought how boring a “chick flick” would be if they had not had to go through some “stuff” to reach that happiness; if they had not fought to get to the Happily Ever After? Our lives are much the same. There is so much drama and adversity we have to endure to get to the happy…Have you ever wondered why or better yet wondered why me???

In II Corinthians chapter 12 Paul talks about his “stuff” but he didn’t call it “stuff”, he called it a thorn. He even explains why he has to go through all his “stuff”…

“…I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me , ” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 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.” II Corinthians 12:

In this passage, Paul acknowledges his “stuff” has a purpose. Did he want his “stuff”?… NO!!! In fact he pleaded with God to take it away from him.

Do you have some “stuff” in your life which you have pleaded with God to remove?… Are you tired of dealing with it?… Feel like giving up?

Wait, hold on…according to Paul there is a reason for the ” stuff in our lives is it make us strong.

Hmmm…Interesting concept isn’t it…

In hardships: Those circumstances in life which are hard to endure. Something that causes discomfort, suffering, poverty, or pain. Whether the “stuff” in hardships can both physical and mental.

Persecution: To be oppressed or harassed with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs or to annoy persistently; bothered

Difficulties: Those obstacles in life that are difficult or bring you trouble or distress.

At some time in everyone’s life they have reason to ask, “Why me, why does my life have to be so stinking hard?”

Here’s why…

Your “stuff” becomes your testimony!

How effective could you be if you had never walked through your “stuff”. You can not speak as an expert unless you have been through it. When you have walked through adversity it adds credibility to your life.

Hmmm…if you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, had everything you ever wanted and more, would you be taken seriously by one who was living in poverty and had no idea where their next meal would come from? NO!

Everyone has “stuff” and everyone’s “stuff” is different but not everyone uses the “stuff” they have been through to minister and help others. So rather than ask…”Why Me?” perhaps we should thank Him for allowing us to have “stuff” in our lives which will be our future testimony and perhaps ministry. By using the “stuff” you have been through to minister to others…