The Cross Before the Crown

"For if Jesus had not been crucified none could now be saved. If there were no testing by fire then true faith would not shine forth. If the rock is not split open, then the water of life cannot flow forth. So difficulties are the means for promoting life and revival in the churches. To carnal men, this is unfortunate, but for Christians this is like a rich banquet. This lesson cannot be learned from books. This sweetness cannot be tasted by carnal men. This rich spiritual life does not exist in a comfortable environment. Where these is no cross, there is no crown. If the spices are not refined to become oil, then the fragrance cannot flow forth. If grapes are not crushed in the vat, they will not become wine" [Portion of a letter from a house church in Fangcheng, China].

Spiritual Growth

"Problems [trials] can actually be turned into opportunities for spiritual growth ... Believers are to see our situation from God's perspective. Our problems [trials] can often be a wake-up call to walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"Even in the worst of circumstances we can find things that reveal God's love behind the scenes, even if it is an expression of the Father's love in disciplining His child when necessary ... It is vital to remember the presence of the Lord in every situation, whether to comfort or correct or both, whether to encourage or admonish or both, but every situation can be used to conform us to the image of Christ and to bring us to maturity" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"Because of His great love for us, God may even allow problems to build and fester to further conform us to the image of Christ. In love He will discipline us as we need it (Hebrews 12). Therefore, we should not automatically expect things to be rosy right away, because we may need more tribulation to bring forth patience, experience, hope, and love (Romans 5:3-5)" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"We must ask what the Lord might be teaching us and how we can obey the Scriptural admonition to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18) ... We must think of others in a more merciful light ... we must develop a grateful heart and a merciful manner" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"We should be able to pray 'Lord, I want to know you better and love you more through this problem. Use me to accomplish your will in this situation'." [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

Problem-Centred

"When we're problem-centred the flesh is given ample opportunity to express itself through gripes, complaints, and sinful conversations ... Believers need to minimize and generalise talking about problems and maximise and specialise in using problems as reminders to draw one closer to God" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"If we've been focused on our problems we definitely need a new perspective ... When we focus on how bad things are, we fail to see what is good - we are living according to the 'old man' rather than by the new life Christ has purchased for us" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

Self-Centred

"The real source of our problems [trials] is our own flesh and spiritual wickedness in high places. We want the other person to change. We are struggling with each other instead of donning our spiritual armour, standing firm on the faith, praying, and seeking Gods will ... we need to see the larger picture and discover what we can do about our problems that would please God rather than self and Satan" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"We must move away from self and problems to Christ and what He is working in us" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

Christ-Centred

"In any trial and with any problem we are to focus/dwell in our relationship with the Lord ... the riches of what has been included in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ ... and an ongoing gratitude for God's most precious gift ... We are to focus/dwell on the blessings we have received in Jesus Christ, such as God's immeasurable love, salvation, new life, imputed righteousness, freedom from the law of sin and death, eternal life, and 'spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Ephesians 1:3). When attention is given to the magnificent love relationship that God has given every believer in Christ, there is great opportunity for gratitude to flow" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"How much better it is for believers to grow in our walk with the Lord than to focus on the problem itself, for, as we yoke ourselves with Christ in the problem and seek to follow Him through the trial, we will be prepared to face future difficulties" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

"Our focus must be on Christ and the Word of God ... We must remind ourselves how God has already worked in our lives ... and His faithfulness ... our confidence must be in Him ... we are to walk by faith ... We are to continue to turn to Christ no matter what" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

Worship

"When we are going through problems of living/trials we need to be encouraged to turn to God and worship Him ion a daily basis along with daily prayer and Bible reading ... Problems are a call to worship, for worship has to do with our recognition and submission to God's greatness, perfection, power, sovereignty, and authority over all creation. We are worshipping God when we place ourselves under His authority and power and when we sanctify Him in our heats (1 Peter 3:15) in meekness and holy fear. What better place is there to be when we are suffering? [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p.114].

"As we grow spiritually, we will better know how to handle problems [trials] by grace through faith, prayer, worship, praise, thanksgiving, and obedience. We will thereby be glorifying God and fulfilling His purposes" [Martin and Deidre Bobgan, Person to Person Ministry: Soul Care in the Body of Christ, p  ].

For the Sake of the Gospel

"I cared not where or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could gain souls to Christ. When I was asleep I dreamed of these things; when I waked the first thing I thought of was this great work. I longed to be a flame of fire continually glowing in the service of God and building up Christ's Kingdom to my latest, my dying moments" [David Brainerd].

Thus saith the LORD,
Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls
(Jeremiah 6:16)

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