As It Happens: A Life Of Suffering (4)

2 Corinthians 11:24-26 – Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger.

I really don't need to go into the list of life's disasters that befell Paul. We've already heard of the human and natural disasters that tried to overwhelm him and end his journey of faith. It's a long list, those discouragements and deaths and disasters that followed him, but maybe, upon reflection, no longer and maybe no deeper than yours.

What do you do with life as it happens?

A Scottish colonel of the First World War was readying his troops to do battle when a messenger came with the news that his son had been killed earlier that morning on the battle line.

The colonel sat in his tent for awhile, then came out, and led his men into battle. Later he was asked what went through his mind in those moments in the tent. He answered: "I had three choices. I could turn to strong drink and drown out my sorrow. I could turn to despair and give up. Or I could turn to God and continue. I chose the latter." Today we need to know that we can choose the latter.

Prayer: God, help us in the most difficult days to turn to you and choose life in all its fullness. Let nothing that comes from life ever separate us from your love in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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