2 CORINTHIANS 1:8-10 – For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

THEME OF THE DAY. TIMES OF GREATEST GROWTH. If you were asked the question, “When did the greatest spiritual growth occur in the life of the Apostle Peter?” and you were given three answers which one would you choose? Here are the options . . .

– On the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus praying (Luke 9:28-36).
– On the mountain listening to Jesus preach His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7).
– On the shore of the Sea of Galilee having breakfast with Jesus, being confronted with his failures leading to his restoration (John 21:15-19).

It would be easy to say, “The greatest growth comes from those exciting experiences with Jesus on “the mountain-top” of spiritual highs. It would also be easy to gravitate toward the riveting scenes of sitting under the teaching and preaching of the Lord Jesus. Yet, the greatest times of spiritual growth will occur in the deep and dark valleys of life. Those times when we are like the Apostle Paul and Timothy in today’s scripture. Take a few minutes and enter their hearts.

First, they were absolutely emptied of any self-sufficiency to endure life – “For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death.” Friends, in order to know God’s strength, we must be convinced we have no strength on our own. And this must go beyond just saying, “I have no strength.” God must take us, and He will, into circumstances that really prove to ourselves that we don’t have strength. So, don’t rebel against those times. We must be emptied of ourselves before we may be filled with Him.

Next, the Apostle Paul and Timothy learned to see through their pain to God’s purpose – “Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Here is where truth spiritual growth occurs. It is also where true spiritual growth may be forfeited. If we give into our pain caused by circumstances and fear, we miss the opportunity to learn trust in the Lord through the circumstances and fear. During times of great difficulty in your life, avoid three things. First, don’t complain. God is sovereign. This difficulty has a Divine Hand behind it. Next, don’t try to remove it. God is sovereign. This difficulty has a Divine Hand behind it. Finally, learn from it. This difficulty has a Divine Purpose behind it for your spiritual growth (Isaiah 48:10). Paul and Timothy didn’t stumble onto this difficult season. It was sent to them from the Lord to grow them. And it is the same with us. Nothing just “happens” in life. There is divine purpose behind everything. Learn to think this way, and control our emotions in our pain, not be controlled by our emotions in our pain. Remember, the greatest time of spiritual growth is not on the mountains in life, but in the valleys of life.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for the hard times in my life for they become the greatest growing times in my life.”

QUOTE: “We must let God take us to the end of ourselves to show us our constant need for grace and then growth in that grace.”