Butterfly
A
man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One
day a small opening appeared. He sat and
watched the butterfly for several hours, as it struggled to force its body
through the little hole. Then it seemed
to stop making any progress. It appeared
as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further. So the man decided
to help the butterfly. He took a pair of
scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen
body and small, shriveled wings. The man
continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the
wings would expand and be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its
life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly. What the man in his kindness and haste, did
not understand was that the restricting cocoon and struggle required for the
butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from
the body of the butterfly into the wings so that it would be ready for flight
once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in
our lives. If God allowed us to go
through life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would never be able to fly.
1Pe 4:12-16 ¶ Beloved, think it not strange
concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: 13 But rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be
reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of
God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken
of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief,
or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let
him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this
behalf.
Suffering and affliction is a part of life that
all must come through sooner of later.
These things make us all stronger and better equiped
for the future. They teach us that we
need God and that we need prayer.
Through them we learn to rely on someone beside
our self. WE learn to rely on God!!
1Pe 5:9 -10 Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10 ¶ But the God of all grace, who hath
called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle
you.
Through these things
God makes us perfect. He is able
strengthen and settle us in the faith.
It happens to all people . All wether good or
bad suffer through affliction it is a fact of life. We must die before we can go be with Christ.
Ecc. 12:1-14
When troubles come we
either learn to pray or we rebell against God and
fall away. I find it strange that often people who say they believe in God, will quit coming to
Church when they are haveing troubles of life. Just when you think that
they would draw neigh to God.
Php 4:5 -7 Let your
moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at
hand. 6 Be
careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Jas
As we pray through our struggles
God gives us the things that we need, in that one day we will be able to fly.
I
asked for strgength .... God gave me DIFFICULTIES to make me strong
I
asked for Wisdom ............ God gave me PROBLEMS to
solve
I
asked for prosperity ........ God gave me BRAIN AND
BRAWN to work.
I
asked for courage ............. God gave me DANGER to
overcome
I
asked for Love .................. God gave me TROUBLED PEOPLE to
help
I
asked for Favors ............. God gave me OPPORTUNITIES
I
recieved nothing I wanted .........
God gave me everything I needed!!
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of
need.
Rom.
Wether it be prison, sickness, or death no
matter what it can all be for the good.
Paul
and Silas in prison.... the jailor and household
saved...
King
Hezikiah sick turned his face to the wall and
prayed. Teaches us the
power of prayer.
Abel's
death .... Heb
11:4 ¶ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God
testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
James
1:2-12
Through our suffering and tribulations are we
manifest in Christ Jesus. Let us endure
with patience... let us wait on the Lord.... let him
do it his way.
Ro
2 Cor. 1:3-7
